Heart failure: when should I start to worry?

Written by: Dr Fadi Jouhra
Published:
Edited by: Carlota Pano

When the heart is unable to pump blood properly around the body is known as heart failure, a chronic condition that occurs after the heart has become too weak or stiff. Dr Fadi Jouhra, highly regarded consultant cardiologist, provides an expert insight into this condition.

 

 

 

What are the early signs of heart failure?

 

There are several early signs of heart failure. They are often subtle and it is risky to ignore them. They include:

 

  • Fatigue: It is common to experience tiredness due to the inability of the heart to pump well.
  • Difficulty walking and exercising: This is another sign where the blood does not reach the muscles fast enough, which causes them to struggle to work.
  • Trouble sleeping, or sleeping on extra pillows: Lying flat can make the lungs congested with fluid due to inability of the heart to pump. Therefore, you might require more pillows that will often make you wake up feeling breathless.
  • Congestion: This is due to fluid build-up around the body and can cause ankle swelling, coughing and wheezing.
  • Palpitation: It feels as if the heart is going fast, pounding or skipping a beat.
  • Shortness of breath: This is due to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, which makes exchanging oxygen more difficult.

 

 

Could these signs indicate another heart condition?

 

Yes, some of these sings can be present in patients with coronary artery disease, especially when diabetes mellitus is associated with it. The reason is that there is dysfunction of pain nerves and fibres in diabetes mellitus, meaning that patients won’t have the chest pain but will feel breathless.

 

 

When should I start to worry about potential heart failure?

 

You should start worrying when you experience some symptoms and you might get one or a few of these symptoms. It is best to have a check once that happens, as it will allow us to confirm or exclude the presence of heart failure.

 

 

How will I be diagnosed with heart failure?

 

You will be diagnosed with heart failure after a clinical examination and a series of investigations. The initial investigations include tracing of the heart (an electrocardiogram) and an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). Usually, with these simple investigations, we are able to reach the diagnosis in most cases, but sometimes extra tests are required.

 

 

Can I be cured? Can I exercise?

 

A cure may be possible when heart failure has a treatable cause. However, for most people, heart failure is a long-term condition with no cure. Having said this, there have been new advances in treating this condition and these new treatments can improve symptoms and prolong life.

 

You can exercise. For the majority of heart failure patients, this will benefit the heart and actually patients are encouraged to do it. There is strong evidence that exercising can prolong life and it is best if you get advice from healthcare professionals about it. After an admission with heart failure, you will be invited to a cardiac rehabilitation programme which includes exercise that is safe and specific to you.

 

 

Dr Fadi Jouhra is a highly regarded consultant cardiologist based in London who specialises in complex cardiac devices and heart failure. If you wish to seek expert diagnosis and treatment for your symptoms of heart failure, make sure to visit Dr Jouhra’s Top Doctors profile today.

By Dr Fadi Jouhra
Cardiology

Dr Fadi Jouhra is a highly regarded consultant cardiologist based in London who also holds a consultant and honorary senior lecturer post at St George’s University Teaching Hospital as well as a visiting professor position at Brunel University London. He specialises in the evidence-based treatment of patients with shortness of breath, hypertension, acute and chronic chest pain, palpitations, and heart failure.
Dr Jouhra is a member of London International Patient Services (LIPS).

In addition to the implantation of biventricular pacemakers and defibrillators (ICD) for the delivery of cardiac resynchronisation, Dr Jouhra is also an expert in arrhythmias, dizziness, anginas, heart murmurs and dilated cardiomyopathy. Using the latest technologies in his practice, Dr Jouhra provides comprehensive heart examinations and personalised treatment plans for every patient who needs care. Dr Jouhra completed his specialist cardiology training at leading hospitals in London including King’s College, St Thomas’ and St George’s Hospitals.

With a special interest in the cardio-oncology field, Dr Jouhra then worked as a clinical research fellow in breast oncology at St George’s Hospital before further developing his clinical experience during a heart failure fellowship at King’s College Hospital. Dr Jouhra is a member of European Heart Failure Association (HFA) Scientific Committee on Comorbidities - Study Group on Cardio-Oncology.

In his visiting professor position (in Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), Dr Jouhra is currently working on project to enhance pacemakers performance. Besides his cardiology practice, Dr Jouhra is a leading figure in medical education. He is an active clinical researcher and a contributor in various peer-reviewed medical journals.

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