Symptoms
 |
Heart failure is not always apparent. Some people in very
early stages of heart failure may have no symptoms at all, and some dismiss getting
tired and being short of breath as simply signs of growing older.
Because of their heart's inability to pump blood efficiently and supply oxygen
to organs like the kidneys and the brain, those affected by heart failure may
suffer from a number of symptoms including:
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the feet and legs
- Lack of energy, feeling tired
- Difficulty sleeping at night due to breathing problems
- Cough with "frothy" sputum
- Swollen or tender abdomen, loss of appetite
- Increased urination at night
- Confusion, impaired memory
Classification of Heart Failure Symptoms
Heart Failure is frequently classified by the severity of exercise limitation.
The New York Heart Association classifies heart failure into Class I, II, III
or IV. Physicians and medical publications commonly use this classification
to describe the severity of heart failure and the effect of treatment. The classification
is based on symptoms experienced during exertional activity:
| Class I |
Asymptomatic (doesn't
show any symptoms): patient is not short of breath or fatigued with any
activity. |
| Class II |
Mild heart failure. Patient is short of breath or fatigued after moderate
activity (such as climbing two flights of stairs, golfing nine holes, or
carrying a load of wash up from the laundry room). |
| Class III: |
Moderate to severe heart failure. Patient
is short of breath or fatigued even after very mild exertion (such as walking
across the house or up half a flight of stairs). |
| Class IV: |
Severe heart failure.
Patient is exhausted, short of breath, or fatigued when just sitting still
or lying down in bed. |
Source: Silver, M. Success with Heart Failure.
New York, NY: Insight Books; 1994.
Last updated: 20 January 2005
|
|
