How to Spot Symptoms of Advanced Congestive Heart Failure

Symptoms of advanced congestive heart failure generally differ not in kind, but degree from earlier stages of heart failure. Congestive heart failure is generally caused by an overworked heart that eventually struggles to pump blood efficiently.

Instructions

• 1

  Notice any increase in shortness of breath.

  As congestive heart failure patients advance through the stages of the disease, shortness of breath will worsen and increase in frequency and duration. In stage I of congestive heart failure, shortness of breath only occurs during active work. During stage IV, shortness of breath can occur even when simply resting by lying flat.

• 2

  Pay attention to unusual fatigue.

  Fatigue goes hand in hand with shortness of breath for congestive heart failure patients. The symptoms of advanced congestive heart failure include ongoing almost unbearable fatigue.

• 3

  Keep track of swelling extremities.

  Congestive heart failure becomes advanced as the heart loses its ability to efficiently pump blood. As a result, fluids can pool in the extremities of the body due to a congestive heart condition. Notice any swelling in the ankles and feet especially. Keeping track by measuring can help signal advancing stages of congestive heart failure.

• 4

  Take note of chronic coughing.

  Congestive heart failure often causes a pooling of fluid not only in the extremities but also in the lungs. Advanced stages of congestive heart failure often combine shortness of breath, nearly unbearable fatigue, swelling, and chronic coughing in an attempt to rid the lungs of fluid.

  * See more tips on spotting advanced stages of congestive heart failure below.