Everyone gets short of breath once in a while. But if it happens when you’re not exercising or dashing around during busy days, it could be an early signal your heart isn’t pumping as well as it should—also known as heart failure.
Heart failure doesn’t mean the heart just stops, but that it’s not working right and you’re not breathing right. Learn the signs to look out for and the treatment options avilable.
Top 4 Signs
- Shortness of breath when you aren’t exercising or doing strenuous activity
- Difficulty breathing when lying down (heart failure causes fluid below the chest to press on the lungs)
- Unexplained swelling, especially in the legs and feet (because the heart doesn’t have enough power to efficiently move blood through the body)
- Tiredness or fatigue
In some cases, there might also be chest pain and palpitations with early heart failure. It's important that you speak with your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.
Confirming the Diagnosis
Though older age—as well as chronic high blood pressure, prior heart attack or family history of heart disease—places you at greater risk of developing heart failure, many are surprised to learn that young people are not immune to the condition.
Younger people may notice dramatic changes like losing the ability to run or shortness of breath. In most cases, breathing is affected, and some patients lose the ability to talk in full sentences.
Confirming the diagnosis typically involves several tests. First is a BNP blood test, which looks for a biomarker in blood called B-type natriuretic peptide, which is released when the heart is under stress. A BNP test can tell the difference between heart failure and pneumonia, despite looking similar on X-rays and producing similar symptoms.
Other heart failure testing can include echocardiogram (often dubbed an “echo”), which uses ultrasound to produce images of your heart as it beats. Additionally, an electrocardiogram, or EKG, may be done to track the electrical impulses of your heart, measuring rhythm, strength and timing.
If you experience one or more early signs of heart failure, see your primary care doctor or a cardiologist. Early identification is key. While heart failure is a very common disease, there are great treatments options available.
Next Steps & Resources:
- Make an appointment online with a doctor near you, or call 800-822-8905.