Edema and nighttime trips to the bathroom may indicate heart failure

0

Heart failure can develop due to alcohol abuse or smoking, and many hidden pathologies also lead to its appearance.

Heart failure (often called congestive heart failure) is a serious condition that occurs when the heart can't get enough oxygen and blood, causing the organ to weaken and function poorly. Dr. John White (MD, MPH) said that the development of heart failure can be a result of myocarditis, an inflammation that affects the heart when you get the coronavirus or the flu.

Dr. White also mentioned other possible causes of the dangerous disorder – hypertension, kidney and thyroid diseases, congenital heart pathologies, arrhythmia, alcohol and tobacco abuse, obesity. In addition, “silent” heart attacks lead to heart failure, which are not accompanied by characteristic strong symptoms and often go unnoticed.

By what signs can you determine the presence of heart failure? According to the doctor, this problem affects the quality of life.

“Congestive heart failure can complicate your daily activities. You have less energy, you cannot lead an active lifestyle. It also affects how you look,” said Dr. White.

The specific symptoms depend on the type of heart failure, the doctor added. In particular, it makes a person prone to edema – for example, in the legs, abdomen.

“Patients with heart failure often have fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity, ankles, and feet. Due to fluid retention, they may gain weight or have to wake up at night to urinate.”

Other signs of congestive heart failure:

• Fatigue, loss of tone, lack of energy.
• Anemia.
• Shortness of breath.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Dry cough not related to a cold.
• Cold extremities.
• Cyanosis (blue tint to the skin, mucous membranes, nails).
• Dizziness and states of confusion.
• Increased anxiety, restlessness.
• Sleep apnea.

The doctor emphasized that heart failure must be detected, monitored, and treated. This disorder negatively affects the functioning of the lungs, liver, and kidneys, contributing to their damage. In the worst case, it leads to death.