Congestive Heart Failure Online Support Group

What are the symptoms of congestive heart failure?

The symptoms of congestive heart failure vary among individuals according to the particular organ systems involved and depending on the degree to which the rest of the body has "compensated" for the heart muscle weakness.

• An early symptom of congestive heart failure is fatigue. While fatigue is a sensitive indicator of possible underlying congestive heart failure, it is obviously a nonspecific symptom that may be caused by many other conditions. The person's ability to exercise may also diminish. Patients may not even sense this decrease and they may subconsciously reduce their activities to accommodate this limitation.

• As the body becomes overloaded with fluid from congestive heart failure, swelling (edema) of the ankles and legs or abdomen may be noticed. This can be referred to as "right sided heart failure" as failure of the right sided heart chambers to pump venous blood to the lungs to acquire oxygen results in buildup of this fluid in gravity-dependent areas such as in the legs. The most common cause of this is longstanding failure of the left heart, which may lead to secondary failure of the right heart. Right-sided heart failure can also be caused by severe lung disease (referred to as "cor pulmonale"), or by intrinsic disease of the right heart muscle (less common)

• In addition, fluid may accumulate in the lungs, thereby causing shortness of breath, particularly during exercise and when lying flat. In some instances, patients are awakened at night, gasping for air.

• Some may be unable to sleep unless sitting upright.

• The extra fluid in the body may cause increased urination, particularly at night.

• Accumulation of fluid in the liver and intestines may cause nausea, abdominal pain, and decreased appetite.

Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.

Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. The pain may be mild to intense. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning, or heavy weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw, or inside the arms or shoulders.

Chest discomfort with lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin.

Paleness or pallor.

Increased or irregular heart rate.

Feeling of impending doom.

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from healthcentral.com

Right before being diagnosed, I had heart attack symptoms, however. That's how I finally got diagnosed-I was rushed to the ER w/ symptoms, but did not have the enzyme in blood showing heart attack-was admitted to check blood again next day & talk to a cardiologist.

I never know now when I get certain symptoms if I should be concerned or not--PCP says to err on the side of caution, but I don't want to be one of those people always at ER, or labeled a hypochondriac. then when it wasn't a panic attack it becomes one trying to decide what to do, which only makes it worse.

That is a tough question. I have had some very bad panic attacks myself, and it is awful.

I have also had some anxiety attacks which can foolyou too - also awful.

The only thing I can think of to suggest is to do breathing exercises to fight the panic and anxiety. But you do need to make sure you are not experiencing a heart related problem. So, we are screwed.

If anyone else has any suggesyions about this - we all need to hear them !!

hugs Raoul