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Products & Services: Book: Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart For Life!

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle does not pump blood efficiently, often due to conditions that weaken or stiffen the heart over time like heart disease or high blood pressure. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling, and coughing. Lifestyle changes and treatments can improve symptoms and quality of life for those with heart failure. Preventing conditions that can lead to heart failure, such as through diet and exercise, can also help prevent its occurrence.

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123 views2 pages

Products & Services: Book: Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart For Life!

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle does not pump blood efficiently, often due to conditions that weaken or stiffen the heart over time like heart disease or high blood pressure. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, swelling, and coughing. Lifestyle changes and treatments can improve symptoms and quality of life for those with heart failure. Preventing conditions that can lead to heart failure, such as through diet and exercise, can also help prevent its occurrence.

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Overview

Heart failure, sometimes known as congestive heart failure, occurs when your heart muscle doesn't
pump blood as well as it should. Certain conditions, such as narrowed arteries in your heart (coronary
artery disease) or high blood pressure, gradually leave your heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump
efficiently.

Not all conditions that lead to heart failure can be reversed, but treatments can improve the signs and
symptoms of heart failure and help you live longer. Lifestyle changes — such as exercising, reducing
sodium in your diet, managing stress and losing weight — can improve your quality of life.

One way to prevent heart failure is to prevent and control conditions that cause heart failure, such as
coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity.

Products & Services

 Book: Mayo Clinic Healthy Heart for Life!

Symptoms

Heart failureOpen pop-up dialog box

Heart failure can be ongoing (chronic), or your condition may start suddenly (acute).

Heart failure signs and symptoms may include:

 Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when you exert yourself or when you lie down

 Fatigue and weakness

 Swelling (edema) in your legs, ankles and feet

 Rapid or irregular heartbeat

 Reduced ability to exercise

 Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm

 Increased need to urinate at night

 Swelling of your abdomen (ascites)

 Very rapid weight gain from fluid retention

 Lack of appetite and nausea

 Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness

 Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus

 Chest pain if your heart failure is caused by a heart attack

When to see a doctor


See your doctor if you think you might be experiencing signs or symptoms of heart failure. Seek
emergency treatment if you experience any of the following:

 Chest pain

 Fainting or severe weakness

 Rapid or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath, chest pain or fainting

 Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up pink, foamy mucus

Although these signs and symptoms may be due to heart failure, there are many other possible causes,
including other life-threatening heart and lung conditions. Don't try to diagnose yourself. Call 911 or
your local emergency number for immediate help. Emergency room doctors will try to stabilize your
condition and determine if your symptoms are due to heart failure or something else.

If you have a diagnosis of heart failure and if any of the symptoms suddenly become worse or you
develop a new sign or symptom, it may mean that existing heart failure is getting worse or not
responding to treatment. This may be also the case if you gain 5 pounds (2.3 kg) or more within a few
days. Contact your doctor promptly.

More Information

 Heart failure care at Mayo Clinic

 Cardiac asthma: What causes it?

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic

Causes

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