Heart failure means that the heart muscle needs to work harder than normal to do its job of delivering blood and oxygen to the body. It is sometimes called congestive heart failure, right-sided heart failure or left-sided heart failure. It can be the result of a heart attack, chronic high blood pressure or structural damage to the valves in the heart. There are four different stages, or classes, of heart failure. Class I is the mildest and Class IV is the most severe. With Class I, there are usually no noticeable symptoms. Even with Class II heart failure, a person may have few symptoms or ones so mild that they are not automatically associated with a serious heart condition.
Fatigue
When heart failure reaches Class II, there are often no symptoms when an individual is at rest. However, activities that once were easy may cause fatigue, according to the Heart Failure Society of America. At this level, activities may need to be limited but not stopped completely. The concern with Class II heart failure is that the symptoms may be so subtle that they are dismissed as a normal part of aging, which can delay treatment. Any changes in energy level should always be evaluated by a physician. Fatigue is a common early symptom of many chronic conditions, including heart failure.
Shortness of Breath
The American Heart Association recommends that individuals be on the lookout for shortness of breath, or dyspnea, as a warning sign of Class II heart failure. At this stage there is usually no difficulty breathing while at rest. However, breathing may become more difficult than normal during moderate exertion. Playing sports, walking or climbing stairs may start to cause shortness of breath. Because this symptom can progress slowly, the AHA warns to not dismiss it as just being out of shape. Any changes in breathing capacity should be discussed with a doctor.
Palpitations
Heart palpitations that occur alongside fatigue and shortness of breath can be a sign of congestive heart failure, according to the University of Iowa. Heart palpitations can be described in many ways. They may feel like the pulse is pounding, racing, irregular or skipping beats. This sensation can occur in the head, neck or chest area. Palpitations can be caused by or made worse from ingesting caffeine, chocolate or alcohol. Over-the-counter and prescription medications for colds and allergies can also cause this symptom as a side effect. Irregular heart rhythms that occur on a regular basis and that do not respond to dietary changes should be checked out.
