Heart Failure Warning Signs and Symptoms
At Bethesda Heart Hospital, we want to keep you and your loved one informed of the warning signs and symptoms of heart failure. If you or someone with you has shortness of breath, especially with one of more of the following signs or symptoms, CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY.
Heart Failure Warning Signs and Symptoms
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Feel bloated after eating only small amounts
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Swelling in ankles and legs
- Tiredness
- Wake up gasping for air
- Weight gain
- Unable to do usual daily activities without fatigue
How Do I Know if I Have Heart Failure?
A doctor who has studied the results of several tests must diagnose heart failure. The doctor will:
- Review the patient’s complete medical history
- Give a physical examination
- Use an EKG or electrocardiogram to discover any abnormalities caused by damage to the heart. An EKG is a medical device that makes a graphical record of the heart’s electrical activity.
- Use an x-ray of the chest to evaluate the heart and lungs, as well as the great vessels, like the aorta. This will help the doctor determine if there is fluid in the lungs, enlargement of the heart or if other problems exist like structural abnormalities in the great vessels, such as an aneurysm.
- In some cases, the doctor will use a blood test to detect abnormal levels of certain enzymes in the bloodstream. These tests confirm (or refute) suspicions raised in the early stages of evaluation that may occur in an emergency room, intensive care unit or urgent care setting. These tests are called cardiac markers and BNP or B-type natriuretic peptide.
- In certain cases, the doctor will use an echocardiogram to evaluate the mechanical and structural function of the heart. An echocardiogram of the heart is commonly called an ultrasound of the heart and maybe be performed under the stress of exercise while the patient is on a treadmill or stationary bicycle. If a patient is unable to exercise on a treadmill or bike the doctor may choose to do a chemical stress test by where a special chemical stressor, such as dobutamine, is injected into an IV and the echocardiogram is then performed.