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Acute Heart Failure Symptoms: 7 Unusual Signs Of Heart Problems That One Should Never Ignore

Acute Heart Failure Symptoms: 7 Unusual Signs of Heart Problems That One Should Never Ignore Are you at risk of an acute heart failure? Look out for these signs and symptoms, and never ignore the risk factors.

The heart is one of the most vital organs of the body and it is important to make sure that it functions well. However, the cases of heart diseases including acute heart failure are on a constant rise which is an area of concern. Acute heart failure (AHF) which is also known as acute decompensated heart failure or cardiac failure is a fatal condition that reflects the inability of the heart to pump blood at a normal rate to fulfil the requirements of the body.

There are various reasons why AHF occurs in a person and can be caused by a primary disturbance in the left, right side or both sides of the heart. The ventricles may become stiff, weak or even stretch hindering efficient blood flow. This condition is particularly concerning due to its sudden onset and potentially life-threatening consequences. This rapid aggravation of chronic heart failure results in a change in treatment or needs of the patient during hospitalization.

Additionally, there are essential steps individuals and healthcare providers can take to halt the progression of the condition and improve outcomes.

Causes

In order to stop the progression of AHF, it is very important to understand what causes it. Some of the major causes of acute heart failure include:

Age

Diabetes

Use of hard medication

Kidney problems

Consumption of alcohol

Heart attack

Blood clot in lungs

Infections

Allergic reactions

Viruses that damage the heart

Cardiopulmonary bypass surgery

Arrhythmia

Symptoms

Acute heart failure is a progressive condition and if left unattended can lead to fatal consequences. Some of the most common symptoms include:

Breathlessness

It is one of the most common symptoms of heart failure and may be present even with minimal exertion

Cough

It happens due to fluid accumulation in the alveolar spaces of the lungs. In certain cases, there can be blood-tinged sputum while coughing.

Fatigue and Tiredness

It occurs due to a lack of heart-pumping capability in which the muscles do not get adequate blood supply to function properly.

Swelling of Limbs

The fluid in the body tends to accumulate in certain regions of the body, especially ankles. It is because the heart fails to pump the blood forward, leading to the accumulation of blood in the veins.

Weight Gain

This symptom arises when fluid accumulates at different parts of the body.

Palpitation

Increased heart rates can sometimes become irregular and very fast and lead to a condition called atrial fibrillation which is very closely associated with AHF.

Nausea and Lack of Appetite

Fluid accumulation in different parts of the body including the stomach and intestines can trigger the feeling of abdominal fullness leading to the loss of appetite.

Acute Heart Failure: How To Halt Progression of the Condition

There are many factors that can trigger acute heart failure in a person. Therefore, it is recommended to get diagnosed at the earliest in case of persisting symptoms. Some of the ways to manage AHF include:

Managing a healthy weight can reduce the risk of this fatal condition.

Following a proper diet and including some form of physical exercise in the daily routine is a must.

One must quit smoking at all costs as it increases heartbeat, decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood, and elevates blood pressure.

Stress and hypertension are one of the leading causes of AHF and one must find ways to manage it.

In case of pre-existing heart conditions, one must keep monitoring heart health.

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Is Congestive Heart Failure Hereditary?

Congestive heart failure may be caused by conditions that pass in a family from generation to generation. Healthy lifestyle habits and getting medical treatment can help minimize the risk of heart failure.

Approximately 6.2 million adults have heart failure in the United States. With so many people having the condition, it's likely you know or are related to someone with congestive heart failure, which may lead you to wonder if it can pass genetically.

You may indeed have a higher likelihood of congestive heart failure if others in your family have this condition. Other conditions such as diabetes and coronary artery disease that can also run in families may increase your chance of congestive heart failure.

Because of this, it's important to have a heart healthy lifestyle and let your doctor know your full family health history.

(If you're interested in learning more about heart failure generally, make sure to look here, too.)

Congestive heart failure means that your heart isn't pumping enough blood to meet your body's needs. It can have serious consequences, including:

kidney damage

liver damage

elevated pressure in the blood vessels that supply your lungs

breathing difficulties (blood and other fluids may also back up into your lungs)

heart valve disease

sudden cardiac arrest or death

Congestive heart failure can be due to a variety of different underlying conditions. Many of these have genetic components that can be passed down through families.

An example of a health condition that can lead to heart failure is hypertension. Hypertension requires your heart to work harder to push blood through narrower blood vessels, which can cause your heart to become injured and less effective over time. Genes can play a role in increasing an individual's chances of developing hypertension.

Some causes of congestive heart failure are:

Individuals may be at a higher risk of heart failure if they:

are 65 years or older

have a family history of congestive heart failure or related conditions

smoke cigarettes or use illegal drugs

have a sedentary lifestyle

eat an unhealthy diet

are African American

experience sleep apnea

have other heart, lung, and blood conditions (including long-term health conditions such as chronic kidney disease or anemia)

undergo cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation

It's possible to inherit traits from either a mother or a father that place you more at risk for congestive heart failure. It's also possible to have congestive heart failure even if you don't inherit related conditions from either parent.

If you're showing symptoms of congestive heart failure, you'll want to talk with a doctor. They can do further testing to help determine any underlying causes and whether those causes are genetic or not.

You can read more here about symptoms of congestive heart failure.

Individuals of any age can experience congestive heart failure, but older individuals are more likely to develop it. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, people 65 and older in particular are at an increased risk of heart failure.

Genetic testing is available for a variety of inherited cardiovascular diseases that are associated with congestive heart failure. If you have a family history of one of these conditions, a doctor may suggest genetic testing.

Genetic testing can be useful in determining whether extra monitoring is needed. It can also ensure that some conditions that contribute to heart failure are treated promptly.

Individuals are more likely to have congestive heart failure when they have certain health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Some of these conditions have a genetic link and can be passed down in families.

If you have a family history of congestive heart failure or other diseases linked to heart failure, it's important to notify a doctor and make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk.

Maryland Woman Who Experienced Heart Failure At 39 Wants To Help Fellow Survivors Persevere

Brooke Bognanni had been struggling with abdominal pain for about six weeks when she fit in a visit with her longtime physician.

While describing her symptoms, the active college professor from Baltimore mentioned something else strange. She'd been having trouble catching her breath after walking up the hill and stairs to her second-floor office.

Brooke planned to go from the doctor's office to running errands with her father, Mario. Her doctor insisted that she instead report to a hospital for some cardiac tests.

That night, a cardiologist called Brooke at home and described what the tests had revealed. Brooke had a faulty mitral valve and a prominent heart murmur. At 39, she was experiencing heart failure. She needed heart surgery to survive.

Brooke was referred to a heart surgeon. She tried bargaining with him.

Did she really need surgery? Yes. Perhaps she could just try medication first? No. Well, could she at least delay the surgery a few weeks until after the semester? He relented after Brooke promised to take no risks before the big day.

While she was teaching and waiting, she also took care of important documents: a will, living will, medical power of attorney, letters to loved ones. She relied on one of her strengths, writing, to help her process her condition and what could go wrong.

"Writing is how poets pray," she said. "They think about things and ponder the big questions."

That surgery in June 2013 was successful, though there were complications, including a severed nerve in her right leg; the sensation will never return. Another problem almost stole her voice and required another surgery that autumn.

An only child, Brooke went through it all with her parents by her side. They accompanied her to every doctor's visit, made decisions as a family unit and talked through waves of emotions.

"We would sit in the den and talk a lot as a family," Mario said.

Brooke had adapted to life as a survivor of heart disease when she faced another crisis.

In 2016, she was getting ready to go out for a run from her parents' home. She bent over to tie her shoes and lost control of her left side. She hobbled downstairs. Her mom, Paula, took one look at her and recognized she was having a stroke.

At the emergency room, imaging showed a blood clot in the right side of her brain.

Brooke spent a week in intensive care and the next few months working to regain speech and use of her left side. In the meantime, doctors tried to find a connection between her heart surgery and her stroke – a mystery that remains unsolved.

Brooke's resolve, though, remains strong.

She continues to teach as a college professor. She continues to exercise and to eat healthily. She places an even greater importance on relationships. And she is open to speaking about the grief and isolation that comes with traumatic health issues, eager to use the voice she almost lost.

"It's been 10 years, but I'm finally at a place where can I talk with others and help other people," she said. While she's reached acceptance of her health struggles, the journey has been painful, with stages of denial, depression and anger along the way. She wants to help other women who are coping with heart disease – and its psychological tolls.

Brooke's desire to help other survivors is also rooted in her love for her mom, who lived with heart disease and died after a heart attack on Easter this year.

Paula was with Mario, her husband of almost 60 years, and with Brooke when she died.

Brooke understands that life is unpredictable, and she is eager to share her story of resilience with others. She's also not wasting time when she speaks with people she cares about. "You just have to tell the people you love that you love them while you can," she said.

Stories From the Heart chronicles the inspiring journeys of heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers and advocates.

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