The sooner heart failure is detected, the better it can be treated. You should therefore pay attention to some warning signs.
About three million people in Germany suffer from heart failure. In so-called heart failure, the function of the heart is disrupted, which weakens the pumping ability 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 early on, it often progresses unhindered and can eventually become life-threatening. A cardiologist then clarifies what symptoms can be warning signs of heart failure.
Heart failure: the cardiologist names 4 symptoms as warning signs
While a heart attack may herald several weeks in advance with typical symptoms, there are also some heart failure warning signs that indicate distress. A heart attack can manifest 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 of the University Hospital of Würzburg and Deputy Spokesperson of the German Center for Heart Failure (DZHI), names four of these warning signs and says alongside t-online.de: “Warning signs are when air becomes short, fluid retention develops, and general symptoms such as fatigue and reduced exercise capacity appear.”
There are also other symptoms that can be signs of heart failure. The following checklist can help those affected recognize the disease. If you suffer from one or more of the symptoms listed, you should see 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
Do not miss anything: you can find everything related to health in the periodic newsletter of our partner 24vita.de.
Heart failure: development in four stages
Depending on the pumping ability of the heart, doctors also distinguish between different forms or stages of heart failure. This can happen suddenly, for example due to a heart attack. However, it can also develop over a longer period of time. Triggers are often coronary heart disease or permanently elevated blood pressure. According to Frantz, complaints are classified into the following four levels according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) scheme:
- NYHA Phase I: In this phase, heart failure is not associated with any physical limitations. Physical stress in everyday life therefore does not cause any symptoms in those affected.
- Phase II NYHA: Patients have mild limitations due to heart failure. With little effort 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 heart arrhythmias.
- NYHA Stage III: This stage is heart failure with a higher degree of limitation. At rest, those affected have no complaints. However, symptoms such as cardiac arrhythmias or shortness of breath can occur even with minor exertion, such as walking.
- NYHA stage IV: Patients exhibit symptoms both during exercise and at rest and are usually bedridden.
Weak heart: therapy and treatment
Heart failure is treated with drugs. Medicines are designed to relieve the heart. Depending on the symptoms, a doctor may prescribe tablets with a blood pressure-lowering and draining effect or drugs to stabilize the heart rhythm. Treatment allows most patients to live their lives comfortably and improves prognosis and life expectancy. If heart failure is already more advanced, implantable pacemakers or defibrillators can help. For patients in the final stage, usually the only option is a donor heart or an artificial heart. In addition, sufferers should pay attention to a healthy diet and sufficient exercise.
This article contains only general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or therapy. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not authorized to answer individual clinical picture questions.
