Symptoms of Heart Failure and
What Causes Them
Once you have been diagnosed with heart failure, it is important for you to recognize these
symptoms. Do not wait for them to go away on their own. Call your doctor right away if you have
these symptoms or anything else unusual.
What the
doctors call it How you feel. Your symptoms
Why it happens
shortness of
breath
• You have to breathe harder even when
you do your normal activities.
• You feel short of breath. It may begin
suddenly during activity, at rest, or
while sleeping. It may wake you up.
• It is hard to breathe while lying flat.
• You may need to sleep with the upper
body and head on two pillows.
• It is hard to get to sleep and stay
asleep.
• You wake up feeling tired or anxious
and restless.
Blood backs up in the vessels that return
blood from the lungs to the heart. This
happens when you have too much fluid
because you drank too much fluid or ate
too much sodium.
persistent
coughing or
wheezing
• You often have a dry hacking cough
especially when lying down.
• You cough up phlegm or mucus.
• Your mucus is white or slightly pink
Fluid builds up in the lungs.
It could be related to your medicines.
build-up of
fluid or
edema
• You gain 5 pounds in 3 days.
• Your feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen
swell.
• Your shoes feel tighter.
• Your stomach hurts or feels tender.
• Your clothes may feel tighter around
the waist.
• Your rings are harder to get on or off.
Blood returning to the heart backs up,
causing fluid to build up in your tissues.
The kidneys may not be able to get rid of
sodium and water effectively.
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This is for education only. Ask your own doctor any questions you have about your health. © 2008 by Vanderbilt University.
All rights reserved. Vanderbilt Medical Center Patient & Family Centered Care HC-0109 06/09
What the
doctors call it
How you feel. Your symptoms
Why it happens
The heart can’t pump enough blood to
meet the needs of body. It goes to vital
organs like your heart, lungs, kidneys,
stomach and away from your legs and
arms.
• You feel tired all the time.
• You feel more tired than usual.
• You barely have enough energy to finish
shopping, bathing, cooking, or walking.
lack of
appetite or
nausea
Your digestive system receives less
blood.
• You feel like your belly is full.
• You feel sick to your stomach.
• There’s nothing you want to eat.
confusion or
impaired
thinking
Levels of certain substances in the blood
are changing.
• You forget things.
• You feel confused, can’t think straight,
feel out of control.
increased
heart rate
Your heart beats faster to make up for
the weakness of each heartbeat.
• You have heart palpitations.
• Your heart feels like it is racing.
tiredness
and fatigue
Patient & Family Centered Care HC-0109 06/09
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