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Heart Failure: Early Signs You Can't Ignore
23 Dec
Summary
- Reduced effort tolerance is a subtle, early sign of heart failure.
- Fluid accumulation causes weight gain, poor appetite, and swollen legs.
- Breathlessness, coughing, and difficulty lying flat signal lung fluid.
Heart failure, a serious cardiac condition, is broadly categorized into preserved and reduced ejection fraction types, though symptoms often overlap. Dr. Pradeep Haranahalli, a cardiologist, highlights that reduced effort tolerance is a primary early symptom, often mistaken for normal aging. This decline in physical ability can remain hidden, especially in older individuals who reduce activity due to other ailments.
As the heart struggles, fluid can accumulate, leading to weight gain and digestive issues like poor appetite and feeling full quickly. Swelling in the legs, initially noticeable in the evenings, can become persistent as the condition progresses. Fluid buildup in the lungs causes breathlessness and coughing, compelling patients to sleep in a more upright position, sometimes experiencing sudden nocturnal distress.
Other indicators include increased nighttime urination and potential findings on medical tests like an enlarged heart on X-ray or abnormal blood markers. Conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension increase risk. Early identification is vital, as heart failure is highly manageable, with timely treatment significantly improving quality of life.
