Our heart is responsible for pumping blood around the body. Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to do it’s this basic job.
Since heart cannot properly pump blood around the body, it then tries to remedy the situation by making anatomical changes to itself. Alongside the heart becoming bigger to support a stronger beat to allow the blood to go around the body, it also starts to pump blood faster.
Moreover, it also changes the diameter of the blood vessels to strategically send blood around the body, which may then deprive other parts of the body of oxygen. During heart failure, heart may also become stiff, due to which it may have reduced efficacy.
Heart failure has different stages and types, and the symptoms manifest accordingly. Most often, in early stages at least, the symptoms set in during physical exertion. If you have trouble during physically demanding work, then you must seek help from the Best Cardiologist in Karachi.
Signs you may be missing
Due to the non-descript nature of the signs, it is easy to miss them out otherwise. Therefore, it is important to keep note of the following signs, and report to the doctor immediately if you notice them.
Appetite changes
Fluid retention in the abdomen –on account of heart failure—leads to feeling of fullness in the belly. Consequently, people do not have much of an appetite.
Congestion
Due to the buildup of fluid inside of the lungs, one also then experiences congestion and wheezing. Moreover, it also then makes breathing difficult as well.
Edema
Since your blood flow to different areas of the body is reduced, therefore, your body secretes hormones that then try to retain fluid and sodium to increase blood volume, in attempts to increase the blood flow to these deprived regions. However, the fluid retention then leads to swelling in mostly the lower limbs.
Furthermore, since the heart does not have enough strength to effectively pump, blood then tends to get piled up in the ankles and areas of lower limbs. Naturally, with fluid retention also comes the increase in weight as well.
Besides, it likewise changes the width of the veins to decisively send blood around the body, which may then deny different pieces of the collection of oxygen. During cardiovascular breakdown, heart may likewise turn out to be firm, because of which it might have decreased viability.
Heartbeat changes
In attempts to pump greater amount of blood around the body and to compensate for lack of effective performance, the heart increases its beating rate. It then leads to palpitations. These may also then lead to chest pains.
Lethargy
When there is inadequate circulation with poor oxygen saturation, your body then has less energy. Consequently, it then leads to fatigue and lethargy. People feel devoid of energy to move. Even their brain becomes tired.
In some cases, the lack of energy is so profound that people are unable to carry out their routine chores even.
Nausea
Another sign of heart failure is feeling nauseous.
Physically demanding activities
When you are carrying out physically demanding activities, your body’s requirement for energy and hence oxygen increases. But if you have poor circulation, the oxygen is less likely to reach the muscles in sufficient quantity, which makes doing the chore harder.
Fluid retention in the lungs also contributes towards the inability to do physically demanding activities.
Reduced alertness
Heart failure also decreases alertness. Naturally, when your brain is not getting enough oxygen, therefore, it is unable to focus and be alert. Other cognitive functions may also experience similar slowing down. In extreme cases, it may also cause disorientation.
Whenever there is deficient flow with unfortunate oxygen immersion, your body then, at that point, has less energy. Therefore, it then, at that point, prompts exhaustion and laziness. Individuals feel without energy to move. Indeed, even their mind becomes worn out.
Shortness of breath
Since there is fluid present inside of the lungs, the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen is not an effective one. With less oxygen being absorbed into the bloodstream, also comes shortness of breath. Since when laying down the fluid tends to back up, hence, breathing becomes more challenging for people when they are reclining or laying down. If you experience these signs, you must immediately visit Medicare Cardiac & General Hospital for checkup.
