A Closer Look at Heart Failure

Even though it may sound like it, heart failure doesn’t mean your heart has stopped beating. It means your heart isn’t pumping blood the way that it should. The heart keeps beating, but the body’s need for blood and oxygen isn’t being met. Because the heart isn’t working efficiently, water and sodium can build up in the abdomen, legs, ankles, feet, lungs or other organs.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Knowing the symptoms of heart failure can lead to faster, more precise treatment. According to the American Heart Association, the most-common symptoms of heart failure include:

• Shortness of breath
• Persistent coughing or wheezing
• Buildup of excess fluid in the body tissues (called edema)
• Tiredness, fatigue
• Lack of appetite or nausea
• Confusion or impaired thinking
• Increased heart rate

To learn more about heart failure, we encourage you to visit the following Web sites:

American Heart Association

WebMD Heart Failure Health Center