Heart failure: cardiologist names four symptoms as warning signs
Created: 10/24/2022, 2:00 p.m
By: Judith Brown
The earlier heart failure is detected, the better it can be treated.
One should therefore pay attention to certain warning signs.
Around three million people in Germany suffer from cardiac insufficiency.
In so-called cardiac insufficiency, the function of the heart is disrupted, which weakens the pumping capacity of the heart muscle.
As a result, the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the body and organs.
According to experts, however, heart disease can be easily treated with medication.
However, if the disease is not noticed in patients at the beginning, it often progresses unhindered and can ultimately become life-threatening.
A cardiologist therefore clarifies which symptoms can be alarm signs of cardiac insufficiency.
Heart failure: Cardiologist names 4 symptoms as alarm signs
Chest pain can be a warning sign of a weak heart.
© IMAGO/Science Photo Library
While a heart attack can announce itself several weeks in advance with typical symptoms, there are also certain warning signs for heart failure that indicate the suffering.
A heart attack can show itself, for example, through heavy sweating.
In the case of heart failure, other symptoms play a role.
Prof. Stefan Frantz, Director of the Medical Clinic and Polyclinic I at the University Hospital Würzburg and Deputy Spokesman of the German Center for Heart Failure (DZHI), names four such alarm signs and says to
t-online.de
: "Warning signs are when the air is running out, Water retention forms and general symptoms such as exhaustion and reduced resilience occur.”
There are also other symptoms that can be signs of heart failure.
The following checklist can help those affected to recognize the disease.
If you suffer from one or more of the listed symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
rapid fatigue and exhaustion
reduced performance
shortness of breath
dizziness
irregular heartbeat
pain in the chest area
frequent and increased urination
cough at night
Loss of appetite and sudden weight loss
water retention in the legs
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Heart failure: development in four stages
Depending on the pumping capacity of the heart, doctors also distinguish between different forms or stages of heart failure.
This can occur suddenly, for example as a result of a heart attack.
However, it can also develop over a longer period of time.
The triggers are often coronary heart disease or permanently elevated blood pressure.
According to Frantz, the complaints are classified into the following four levels according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) scheme:
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NYHA stage I: In this stage, heart failure is not associated with any physical limitations.
Physical stress in everyday life therefore does not cause any symptoms in those affected.
NYHA Stage II: Patients experience mild limitations due to heart failure.
With little exertion or rest, they have no discomfort.
Physical stress such as climbing stairs or walking uphill, on the other hand, can cause shortness of breath or cardiac arrhythmia.
NYHA stage III: This stage is cardiac insufficiency with a higher degree of limitation.
At rest, those affected have no complaints.
However, symptoms such as cardiac arrhythmia or shortness of breath can occur even with minor exertion, such as walking.
NYHA stage IV: Patients show symptoms both during exercise and at rest and are usually bedridden.
Weak Heart: Therapy and Treatment
Heart failure is treated with medication.
The drugs are designed to relieve the heart.
Depending on the symptoms, a doctor can prescribe tablets with a blood pressure-lowering and draining effect or medication to stabilize the heart rhythm.
The treatment allows most patients to live their lives comfortably and improves prognosis and life expectancy.
If the heart failure is already more advanced, pacemakers or implantable defibrillators can help.
For patients in the final stage, only a donor heart or an artificial heart is usually the only option.
In addition, sufferers should pay attention to a healthy diet and sufficient exercise.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
