Acute Or Worsening Heart Failure: Know The Symptoms Of This Disease

Acute heart failure or worsening heart failure rapid exacerbation of chronic heart failure frequently necessitates a change in chronic treatment or needs in-patient hospitalisation. Read on to know the signs and symptoms of worsening heart failure.

Heart failure is a condition when the heart is not able to pump blood to the body organs as per the requirement. Heart failure may be chronic in nature if heart pumping capability is already low. It also can develop acutely due to various conditions.

The phrase "worsening heart failure" is used to describe the worsening of chronic heart failure, also known as "acute heart failure" or "acute decompensated heart failure." This rapid exacerbation of chronic heart failure frequently necessitates a change in chronic treatment or needs in-patient hospitalisation, and it is associated with a poorer prognosis.

Signs And Symptoms Of Worsening Heart Failure

Following signs and symptoms may point to worsening of the heart failure condition.

Breathlessness

One of the most common symptoms of heart failure is breathlessness. Initially, it is present during exertion. As heart failure worsens, the breathlessness increases and may be present even with minimal exertion. In the worst cases, it will be present even at rest. When breathlessness is present in a lying down condition, it is known as orthopnea. If orthopnea is present, then heart failure is in an advanced state and needs immediate attention.

Cough

Cough, especially during lying down position may be a sign of worsening heart failure. This is due to fluid accumulation in the alveolar spaces of the lungs. In extreme cases, there can be blood-tinged sputum during cough. This situation is a medical emergency and needs immediate hospitalization and management.

Fatigue And Tiredness

Due to a lack of heart-pumping capability, the muscles do not get adequate blood supply. Thus there is excessive fatigue and tiredness during any physical activity.

Swelling In The Ankle Region

Fluid tends to get accumulated at the dependent region of the body because of heart failure. This is because of the failure of the heart to pump the blood forward, leading to the accumulation of blood in the veins. This leads to distension of veins and due to elevated venous pressure, fluid tends to get accumulated in the intercellular spaces. This leads to pitting oedema at the dependent region of the body, most commonly at the ankle. Increasing oedema is a sign of worsening heart failure.

Weight Gain

Worsening heart failure leads to weight gain. This is due to fluid accumulation at various regions of the body. Rapid weight gain in patients with compromised heart function is indicative of progression of heart failure and needs immediate attention.

Palpitation/ Increased Heart Rate

With worsening heart failure, patients may feel palpitation due to increased heart rate. The palpitation sometimes becomes irregular and very fast in a condition known as atrial fibrillation, which is commonly associated with heart failure.

Lack Of Appetite, Nausea

With heart failure, there is fluid retention at different regions of the body including the stomach and intestine. A congested stomach and intestine give a feeling of abdominal fullness and the patient may lose appetite and does not feel hungry.

(This article is contributed by Dr Santosh Kumar Dora, Senior Cardiologist, Asian Heart Institute, Mumbai)