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Warning Signs Of Heart Failure: An individual’s heart health formulates an integral part of maintaining a healthy body. With sedentary lifestyle choices, people across the world have become more susceptible to heart diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. Unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol are some major contributors to deteriorating heart health.

What Is Heart Failure?

Heart failure is a chronic lifelong condition where the heart muscle is either too weak and unable to pump efficiently or too stiff to fill the heart cavity. In both cases, the heart is unable to keep up with the demands of the body because of poor circulation thus leading to insufficient blood supply.

While explaining the causes, symptoms and prevalence of heart failure, Dr. Sarumathi Thangavel, MD, FACC, American Board (Internal Medicine), Consultant – Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology, The Institute of Heart & Lung Transplant, MGM Healthcare, Chennai explained that most patients with heart failure can be managed with medical therapy and lifestyle changes and can often live a longer life. In India, the prevalence of heart failure is estimated to be about 1% of the population of 140 crore people.

Warning Signs Of Heart Failure

1. Shortness Of Breath

One of the major signs of heart failure is shortness of breath. This kind of breathlessness comes while performing any activity or while at rest. Sometimes it can come during the night and makes the individual difficult to breathe unless you get up and move around for some fresh air. You may need several pillows to raise your upper body so you can breathe more easily.

2. Persistent Coughing Or Wheezing

When fluid builds up in the lungs, it leads to coughing that produces white or pink blood-tinged mucus. This is another major sign of heart failure that you should not ignore and seek immediate medical attention.

3. Fatigue

When the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the needs of body tissues. The body diverts blood away from less vital organs, particularly muscles in the limbs, and sends it to the heart and brain. This leads to feelings of tiredness or fatigue all the time.

4. Sudden Weight Changes

Sudden unexplained weight gain or loss can be a sign that you’re developing heart failure, or that your heart failure is progressing. Ask your healthcare professional how much fluid to drink every day.

Who should one consult when concerned about heart failure and at what stage?

According to Dr. Sarumathi Thangavel, it is imperative to follow up regularly with a cardiologist and take your prescribed medications for heart failure even if the symptoms are well controlled since about 5% of the patients progress to end-stage heart failure despite adequate medical therapy. In end-stage heart failure, the pumping action of the heart becomes weaker and weaker and the heart becomes enlarged.