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The signs and symptoms of heart failure are caused by the accumulation of blood that the heart cannot pump, and include tiredness for great efforts, shortness of breath, swelling and coughing, for example. Over time, symptoms can evolve to tiredness by making small efforts, such as eating or brushing your teeth, and the appearance of bumps spread throughout the body.
When a person has these symptoms, they should see a cardiologist to diagnose the problem and start the appropriate treatment, which may include the use of medication, physical therapy or even a heart transplant, in the most severe cases.
The most common signs and symptoms of heart failure can include:
- Tiredness, weakness and physical limitation to habitual efforts;
- Sleep apnea and shortness of breath during the day;
- Swelling of the feet, legs, ankles and belly;
- Faster heart rate;
- Dry night cough;
- Poor digestion, nausea and fullness;
- Wheezing in the chest after making efforts;
- Swelling of the abdomen;
- Loss of appetite;
- Chest pain;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Weight gain due to fluid retention;
- More concentrated urine and increased urinary frequency, especially at night.
In addition to these symptoms, chest pain may appear, which may be a sign of a heart attack. Learn how to identify the symptoms of a heart attack.
How the diagnosis is made
To identify heart failure, the doctor may order several tests, such as blood tests, chest X-rays to assess the heart and lungs, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, magnetic resonance, computed tomography, or an angiography, for example. Find out how angiography is done and what to do to prepare for the exam.
What is the treatment
After the diagnosis is made, treatment should be guided by a cardiologist and usually involves the use of drugs that strengthen the heart muscle, antihypertensive agents and diuretics, to decrease blood pressure on the heart and to decrease blood retention. liquids.
In addition, regular physical exercise adapted by the cardiologist, such as walking or cycling, and, in some cases, physical therapy, is also recommended to help the patient recover and reduce symptoms. In the most severe cases, it may be necessary to have surgery to perform a heart transplant. See more about treatment for heart failure.
Check out the guidelines of nutritionist Tatiana Zanin to find out what you can eat to control your symptoms, complementing the treatment: