Signs and Symptoms of Heart Failure

1. Peripheral edema , usually noted in the lower extremeties, can be a result of right sided heart failure.
2. Angina, or chest pain/arm pain, is generally caused by decreased blood flow through the coronary arteries.  This causes decreased oxygen delivery to the heart muscle.
3. Weight gain.  Patients with heart failure should weigh themselves everyday and report a weight gain of weight increases of 5 pounds or more.  This is very important as the weight gain may show up before peripheral edema, thus allowing you to be seen by your doctor before your condition deteriorates further.  Below is an example of a chart that one can use to document their weight and any other pertinent information.  One should weigh themselves at the same time everyday, in the same amount of clothes, and after voiding.

4. Shortness of breath usually caused by pulmonary edema or congestion in the lungs.  Many patients with heart failure are unable to lie flat and need 2-3 pillows to sleep at night.
5. Fatique which is caused by decreased pumping action of the heart and thus oxygen delivery to the heart and other vital organs.
6. Loss of appetite.  Often heart failure patients hold their extra fluid in the abdominal area.  This bloated feeling decreases the patients appetite.  Also patients can have nausea which is caused by decreased blood flow to the abdominal/intestinal area.