By themselves, the signs of heart failure may not be cause for alarm. But if you haven’t been diagnosed with heart failure and you have more than one of these symptoms, report them to a healthcare professional and ask for an evaluation of your heart.
If you have been diagnosed with heart failure, it's important for you to keep track of symptoms and report any sudden changes to your healthcare team.
This table lists the most common signs and symptoms, explains why they occur and describes how to recognize them.
Try our interactive heart failure signs and symptoms animation.
| Sign or Symptom |
Why It Happens |
People with Heart
Failure May Experience... |
| Shortness of breath (also called dyspnea) |
Blood "backs up" in the pulmonary veins (the vessels that return blood from the lungs to the heart) because the heart can't keep up with the supply. This causes fluid to leak into the lungs. |
. . . breathlessness during activity (most commonly), at rest, or while sleeping, which may come on suddenly and wake you up. You often have difficulty breathing while lying flat and may need to prop up the upper body and head on two pillows. You often complain of waking up tired or feeling anxious and restless. |
| Persistent coughing or wheezing |
Fluid builds up in the lungs (see above). |
. . . coughing that produces white or pink blood-tinged mucus. |
| Buildup of excess fluid in body tissues (edema) |
As blood flow out of the heart slows, blood returning to the heart through the veins backs up, causing fluid to build up in the tissues. The kidneys are less able to dispose of sodium and water, also causing fluid retention in the tissues. |
. . . swelling in the feet, ankles, legs or abdomen or weight gain. You may find that your shoes feel tight. |
| Tiredness, fatigue |
The heart can't pump enough blood to meet the needs of body tissues. The body diverts blood away from less vital organs, particularly muscles in the limbs, and sends it to the heart and brain. |
. . . a tired feeling all the time and difficulty with everyday activities, such as shopping, climbing stairs, carrying groceries or walking. |
| Lack of appetite, nausea |
The digestive system receives less blood, causing problems with digestion. |
. . . a feeling of being full or sick to your stomach. |
| Confusion, impaired thinking |
Changing levels of certain substances in the blood, such as sodium, can cause confusion. |
. . . memory loss and feelings of disorientation. A caregiver or relative may notice this first. |
| Increased heart rate |
To "make up for" the loss in pumping capacity, the heart beats faster. |
. . . heart palpitations, which feel like your heart is racing or throbbing. |
This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 11/03/09.
