Community doctors remind: Don’t ignore these signs of heart failure!

The word heart failure (abbreviated as "HF") sounds scary, and many people may think that it is a sudden and serious disease. In fact, heart failure does not happen "overnight", but is a "distress signal" sent by the human body after being overloaded for a long time. Community doctors often emphasize that some early signs of heart failure are very subtle, but if they can be identified and measures taken in time, the disease can be prevented from worsening and even lives can be saved. So, what are the signs of heart failure that cannot be ignored? Let's find out together.

“Why can’t I breathe?”: Beware of breathing difficulties

Dyspnea is one of the most common symptoms of heart failure, especially after activity or when lying down. Many people mistake this symptom for ordinary fatigue or a "normal manifestation" of aging, or even a temporary discomfort caused by too hot or too cold weather. In fact, it may be a manifestation of the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, causing blood to accumulate in the lungs and causing dyspnea.

Some people may find themselves more uncomfortable when lying flat on their backs at night, and may even need to prop up their pillows to fall asleep. This is also a typical sign of heart failure. In more serious cases, patients may suddenly wake up in the middle of the night due to chest tightness and breathlessness. If someone in your family has similar symptoms, please do not ignore it and go to the community hospital for examination as soon as possible to prevent the worsening of heart failure.

"My legs and feet are always swollen. Is it related to drinking too much water?": Beware of edema

Another common sign of heart failure is lower limb edema, especially in the ankles, feet and calves. Many patients initially thought that it was edema caused by drinking too much water, standing for a long time or humid weather. However, if the edema persists and cannot be relieved even in the morning, it needs to be taken seriously.

The reason behind edema is actually the decline in the heart's ability to pump blood, which causes the excess fluid in the body to be unable to be discharged normally and accumulate in the tissues. If edema is accompanied by a sudden weight gain (more than 2 kg in a few days), then the possibility of heart failure is greater. This "invisible signal" is often easily ignored, and community doctors recommend that when such an abnormality is found, it is better to consult a doctor as soon as possible to clarify the cause.

“Why do I feel so tired lately?”: Don’t ignore unexplained fatigue

One of the early symptoms of heart failure is unexplained fatigue. Many people think they are just "too busy lately" or "ageing and losing strength." However, when the heart's blood supply is weakened, the body's major organs and muscles do not receive enough oxygen support, resulting in fatigue and tiredness.

This feeling of fatigue does not only occur after exercise, but also during daily activities, such as climbing stairs, or even lifting heavy objects or doing housework. If this "feeling of weakness" persists and there is no obvious reason, be sure to go to the hospital as soon as possible to check your heart function.

“Why is my heart beating so fast?”: Pay attention to palpitations and chest tightness

Palpitations, also known as "irregular heartbeat" or "heart palpitations", are also one of the signs of heart failure. Many people think that occasional accelerated or irregular heartbeats are normal, such as when you are nervous, drink coffee, or stay up late. However, if palpitations become frequent, or even accompanied by chest tightness, shortness of breath, and other discomforts, you need to pay special attention.

The appearance of chest tightness and palpitations may be a sign that the heart is "working overtime" to compensate for its inadequate function. Over time, the overloaded operation of the heart will not only aggravate heart failure, but may also cause more serious complications. Therefore, early intervention is particularly important.

"Cough never goes away": Cough and phlegm cannot be ignored

Some heart failure patients will have repeated coughs or sputum, especially at night. Many people mistakenly think that they just have a "fever". But in fact, this may be caused by "pulmonary congestion" caused by heart failure. Because the heart is not supplied with enough blood, too much fluid will accumulate in the lungs, which will stimulate coughing.

This cough is usually dry or accompanied by a small amount of pink foamy sputum. If your elderly family members have this condition repeatedly and are accompanied by other signs of heart failure, be sure to take them to the hospital for further examination.

Conclusion: Pay attention to the body's "alarm signals"

Heart failure is not a disease that strikes suddenly, but the result of the body's long-term "overload" operation. Many early signs, such as dyspnea, edema, fatigue, palpitations, etc., are often misunderstood as ordinary discomfort. If it can be identified early and measures are taken, the further development of heart failure can be completely avoided.

As community doctors, we hope that everyone can learn to pay attention to their body signals, have regular checkups, and develop healthy living habits. Protecting heart health is not only about extending life, but also about enjoying a higher quality of life. Remember, the heart is our "life engine" and every beat of it creates vitality for us. Don't wait until the signal becomes a crisis before you take action!

Author: Li Kongwei, Community Health Service Center, Jianchi Street, Longquan City