Symptoms of Heart Failure

Awareness of heart failure symptoms is dangerously low¹.

Seeing the signs

Heart failure symptoms can be difficult to spot. This is because they could signify the presence of other conditions not directly related to heart failure, or merely be discounted and attributed to getting older or being out of shape. In fact, a recent survey commissioned by AstraZeneca showed that few people can identify the most common symptoms of heart failure.¹

• Of those surveyed in our recent study on heart failure awareness,
• Awareness of the 3 main symptoms is low
• 23% Shortness of breath when resting or being active
• 40% Feeling unusually tired or weak
• 25% Swelling of the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen, or the small of the back

People were asked to select one disease for each symptom from a list of heart failure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke or asthma^1,2

Symptoms can include^2,3:

Shortness of breath – this can occur even when not doing strenuous activities and may even be worse when lying down

Swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen – caused by a build-up of fluid
Tiredness or fatigue – feeling tired most of the time and finding exercise and physical activities exhausting

Other, less common symptoms may include^2,3:
Rapid or irregular heart rate
Lack of appetite and nausea
Persistent coughing or wheezing
Difficulty concentrating or confusion

So, because symptoms may have multiple possible sources, the best thing to do if you experience any, or especially a combination of these symptoms, is to go and have a chat with a doctor so they can assess your symptoms, family history and possibly undergo a few tests to see if you are at risk.

Do you think your loved one may have some of these symptoms?

Take our symptoms quiz

References

1. AstraZeneca PLP. Data on File. ID: REF – 74964. March 2020
2. NHS. Symptoms of heart failure. Available online at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/heart-failure/symptoms/. Last accessed August 25 2020
3. Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of Heart Failure. Available online at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptomscauses/ syc-20373142. Last accessed August 25 2020