Congestive heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to the all of the organs and tissues in the body. The heart may not contract fully or the valves that prevent back flow of blood may malfunction, preventing the heart from properly emptying. A failing heart works, just not as efficiently as it should. As the blood flowing out of the heart slows, blood returning to the heart gets backed up, causing congestion in the tissues. Congestive heart failure has several causes, including high blood pressure, heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart defects and malfunction in the valves. The symptoms of congestive heart failure vary by individual and by the degree of failure. However, there are a few symptoms--fatigue, swelling and shortness of breath--that may present early into the condition.
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the earliest symptoms of congestive heart failure. Unfortunately, fatigue is also a symptom of several other conditions and is easy to ignore. In the early stages of fatigue, the patient may not even notice but will subconsciously reduce his activities. For example, a person may avoid exercise or cut back on certain activities without realizing why. Over time the fatigue becomes more noticeable as the heart failure affects more systems in the body.
Swelling
Heart failure adversely affects the kidneys' ability to dispose of sodium and water. As a result, the body retains water in the tissues. Patients with heart failure often experience swelling, also known as edema, in the lower extremities--especially the feet and ankles, and abdomen. However, if the fluid retention is severe enough, the swelling can spread to other parts of the body. The patient may also gain weight as fluid builds up in the body.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is a common symptom of congestive heart failure. Because the heart does not work as efficiently as it should, it does not provide adequate oxygen and nutrition to the tissues. This increases the body's demand for oxygen, which increases the demands on the heart and lungs. As a result, many people with congestive heart failure have shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat. Additionally, because of the fluid congestion in the tissues, fluid builds up in the lungs, interfering with breathing and gas transfer. People with congestive heart failure also experience shortness of breath while lying down and may even awaken from sleep gasping for air.
