Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure in Women

 Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure in Women

We tend to assume that we are healthy in the heart, particularly women. Women may also often have symptoms of heart problems that can hardly be detected or can be confounded with general exhaustion, stress or old age. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is among them. Being aware of its symptoms will make women be able to receive medical help as fast as possible and lead healthier lifestyle.

In this article, we are going to talk about the typical symptoms of congestive heart failure in women, how they may be different in comparison with those of men and why the timely diagnosis is so critical. We will also provide some tips on what to do in case you observe these signs.

Congestive Heart Failure What?

It is best to first define what congestive heart failure is before getting into the symptoms. In simple terms, CHF is a cardiac condition that develops due to the fact that the heart cannot pump blood effectively to supply the body with the necessary needs. This may cause the fluid to get stuck in the lungs, legs or other tissues hence the term congestive.

It is not a situation that occurs overnight, it normally builds up with time. It may not manifest itself in women the same way as it does in men and the symptoms are less noticeable at times.

Typical Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms in women.

The following are some of the most notable symptoms that the woman should be on the lookout:

1. Shortness of Breath

Dyspnea or shortness of breath is one of the most typical ones. In severe cases, women would experience it during their day to day activities like climbing stairs, walking or even at rest.

Others may have the symptoms of waking up in the middle of the night feeling out of breath otherwise referred to as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. It is usually mistaken with asthma or anxiety, but when it is persistent, it is a warning sign.

2. Pitting Swelling in Legs, Ankles or Feet.

An archetypal symptom of CHF is fluid retention. The swelling may occur in the ankles, feet, or legs of women following prolonged standing. In some cases swelling may also develop in the abdomen making it uncomfortable or full.

The easiest method of checking is to press fingers on the swollen part. In case it causes a temporary dent (so-called pitting edema), it is worth visiting a doctor.

3. Fatigue and Weakness

Feeling fatigued or weak despite a good night sleep can be one of the signs. Women tend to blame this on stresses, sleeps deprivation or hectic schedules, however with constant fatigue, which does not subside when rested, this could be a sign of heart problems.

4. Continuous Coughing or Wheezing.

Fluid accumulation in the lungs might result in a cough that cannot be cured, and breathing difficulties particularly during sleep. The cough sometimes comes up with pink or white coated mucus that must never be overlooked.

5. Pounding or Irregular Heartbeat.

Women are also likely to complain of having an increased heart rate or heart fluttering even when resting. This irregular heartbeat or palpitations may be a small primary indicator of CHF. It is usually accompanied with lightheadedness or dizziness.

6. Difficulty Sleeping Flat

Congestive heart failure may make it difficult to sleep on a back position in women. They could be required to aid their bodies using more pillows so that they can be able to breathe freely. This is an indication that has been poorly diagnosed as acid reflux or snoring, but may as well indicate that some fluid is present in the lungs.

7. Sudden Weight Gain

Another warning sign is the rapid gain in weight within a few days, and the weight change is not related to the change in diet. This normally occurs because of retention of fluids and not fat. Keeping track of your weight levels can be a good way of early detection of CHF.

8. Reduced Exercise Capacity.

In case you realize that some of the activities that you find easy before now leave you fatigued, then it might be an indication of the deterioration of the heart functionality. This is because women might experience increased fatigue than normal when walking, shopping or climbing stairs.

9. Diffusion or Difficulty In Concentrating.

In other instances, the brain may experience lack of concentration, memory issues or become confused due to the restricted blood circulation to the brain. This is usually insidious and might be confused with stress or age, but when it is accompanied with other symptoms, it might be the sign of CHF.

Causes The Differences in Symptoms in Women.

Studies indicate that females can have unusual signs of congestive heart failure, as compared to males. Although chest pain is a chief symptom among men, women will complain of:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling
• Sleep disturbances

Due to the subtle nature of these symptoms, CHF among women is usually poorly diagnosed or misdiagnosed and therefore awareness plays a very important role.

Risk Factors for Women

• There are factors that predispose women to CHF:
• Hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Diabetes
• Heart attack or cardiac artery disease.
• Obesity
• Thyroid disorders
• Habits of lifestyle: Smoking, sedentary.

A small step in the early diagnosis can be knowing your risk factors and following up on the symptoms.

What are the right responses in the event that you notice these symptoms.

1. Be attentive to even the slightest details: even slight fatigue or swelling should be mentioned.
2. Visit a physician early enough: The sooner a physician is diagnosed the more chances that it can be under control and prevented.
3. Lifestyle modifications: Eat healthy diet, exercise, and lessen on salt consumption.
4. Drugs: Take medications as prescribed by your physician concerning blood pressure or heart rate or fluid problems.
5. Check-up: Heart checks should be conducted regularly and can help to detect problems at an early stage.

Conclusion

CHF is a severe disease, but it can be treated and quality of life enhanced in case it is detected early enough and well managed. Women are supposed to watch out to such good signs as being tired, swollen, short of breath and having an irregular heartbeat, and not attributing it to normal stress or old age.

Women can control their heart health by being informed and consulting with a doctor in time.

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