If you have Heart Failure, it doesn’t mean your heart has stopped working. However, it does mean that the structure of your heart may have changed and isn’t working as well.
A Healthy Heart
When the heart relaxes, it fills with blood. When the heart squeezes, it pushes that blood, which contains nutrients and oxygen, out to the rest of the body.
A Heart Failure Heart
Heart Failure changes the structure of your heart so it doesn’t work as well and can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
It’s important to note new Heart Failure
symptoms or changes to current ones
Heart Failure symptoms increase the risk of death and hospitalization but they often go unnoticed.
Click on each symptom to learn more.
Shortness of breath
People with Heart Failure often have trouble breathing during activity, as well as when at rest, including when lying down to go to sleep. This is caused by blood backing up and fluid leaking into the lungs.
Swelling
People with Heart Failure often complain of having swollen feet, legs, ankles, and even stomachs. This particularly bothersome symptom occurs when blood backs up and fluid collects in the tissues.
Coughing
A nagging cough, often followed by white or pink mucus, occurs when fluid backs up into the lungs.
Confusion or
memory loss
When the heart isn’t working correctly, the brain may not be getting the blood it needs to function properly. For this reason, people with Heart Failure often experience episodes of confusion or memory loss.
Rapid weight gain
Gaining sudden weight—for example, 3 or more pounds in a single day—is generally a sign of fluid retention. If you have Heart Failure and notice this symptom, call the doctor right away.
Feeling tired, fatigued
When the heart isn’t able to pump out enough blood, the body sends it to the most critical organs first. This means that arm and leg muscles may not receive enough oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood, which can make them feel weaker. As a result, everyday tasks such as walking or climbing stairs can feel exhausting.
If you’re experiencing symptoms, or think you may be at risk of Heart Failure, talk to your doctor right away.
Managing Your Heart Failure
Learn about lifestyle changes, medication, and activities that may help manage Heart Failure.
How much do you know about Heart Failure?
Heart Failure is a sudden event,
like a heart attack.
FALSE
Unlike a heart attack, which is considered an episodic event, Heart Failure is generally considered to be a chronic condition. This means that it won’t go away and therefore requires ongoing management. A heart attack may be one of the causes of Heart Failure.
How much do you know about Heart Failure?
HEART FAILURE CAUSES FLUID TO
COLLECT IN YOUR TISSUES.
FALSE
When you have Heart Failure, the pumping ability of the heart is decreased, which results in less blood returning to the heart. This, in turn, causes fluid to build up in the tissues, which results in swelling.
How much do you know about Heart Failure?
A BOWL OF CANNED CHICKEN NOODLE
SOUP IS A GOOD MEAL CHOICE FOR
SOMEONE WITH HEART FAILURE.
FALSE
Canned food often contains high amounts of sodium, which can cause the body to retain water and make some Heart Failure symptoms worse. For this reason, people with Heart Failure should try to stay away from foods high in sodium.
How much do you know about Heart Failure?
PEOPLE WITH HEART FAILURE OFTEN
HAVE TROUBLE BREATHING, ESPECIALLY
WHEN LYING DOWN.
FALSE
Feeling short of breath, especially at night when lying down, is a common Heart Failure symptom. Since the heart’s pumping ability is decreased when you have Heart Failure, blood that normally travels from the lungs to the heart can back up. This causes fluid to build up in the lung tissues, which results in shortness of breath.
How much do you know about Heart Failure?
IT’S DANGEROUS FOR PEOPLE WITH
HEART FAILURE TO EXERCISE.
FALSE
While some people with Heart Failure may not be healthy enough for exercise, daily physical activity can be an important part of many treatment plans. If you have Heart Failure, talk to your doctor about what kinds of activities might be right for you.
Final score: 0-2 correct!
Everyone has to start somewhere! Since you may be just beginning to learn about HF, you might want to read more about the symptoms of HF and the risks of the condition.
Final score: 3-4 correct!
Good job! You’re off to a great start, but you can always learn more. For instance, you might like to learn more about how eating right and staying active, can help people with Heart Failure live healthier lives.
Final score: 5 correct!
Great job! A perfect score! But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to learn. For example, would you like to learn about a breakthrough Heart Failure medicine called ENTRESTO? Or maybe you’d like to create a tool to help guide your next conversation with your doctor?
