Congestive heart failure happens to an individual when the heart muscle is no longer pumping blood as well it should. The heart may have become weak due to conditions such clogged arteries or high blood pressure. Perhaps either yourself or your aging parent’s elderly care provider have started to notice some symptoms your parent is exhibiting and are beginning to wonder if he is struggling with congestive heart failure.
Always visit your parent’s family physician when new symptoms present or previous symptoms get worse. Here are the most commons symptoms of congestive heart failure. If you or your elderly care provider are noticing several of these symptoms now affecting your parent’s quality of life, place a call or schedule a visit to your family physician sooner than later.
- Swelling (edema) in his legs, ankles and feet
Edema is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues. Although congestive heart failure can cause edema in any part of your parent’s body, you may notice it more in his hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs. If you have noticed that your parent is having trouble putting shoes on if his fingers look puffy, he might have edema. If the edema is also happening in other parts of the body, you may notice a very rapid weight gain due to the fluid retention. - Shortness of breath when your parent exerts himself or when he lies down
If your parent is complaining on not being able to catch his breath or you see him struggling to breath after physical activity, it could be a symptom of several simple things (such as being out of shape) or it could be more serious. If combined with other symptoms, make a note of it. - Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Ask your parent to let you (or his elderly care provider) know if he’s been feeling his heartbeat irregularly or very rapidly. - Fatigue and weakness
With the heart not being able to pump his blood as quickly as before, your aging parent may find he is getting much more tired out than he used to. He may also find it difficult to complete tasks that require muscle strength, such as getting up from squatting down or carrying up the laundry from the basement. - Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
If you or your parent’s elderly care provider has noticed your parent is having a hard time with holding a conversation or even staying awake for one, congestive heart failure could be the cause. - Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged phlegm
Like many symptoms, this can be a symptom for numerous health issues. If your parent is struggling with a persistent cough, always get it checked out right away. - Increased need to urinate at night
Many older individuals notice a need to urinate more often at night, but if he’s noticing this change along with others, have him share this symptom with his doctor as well when you visit. - Chest pain if his heart failure is caused by a heart attack
Of course, an immediate trip to the Emergency room is warranted if a heart attack is suspected.
There are medications and treatments your parent can employ to help treat his congestive heart failure. The sooner you get him in and get it diagnosed, the more quickly it can be treated, and the symptoms can be managed.
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142
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