Early Signs of Heart Failure:
- Weight gain or loss of 2-3 lbs in one day or 3-5 lbs in one week
- Swelling in the legs, feet, hands or abdomen
- A persistent cough or chest congestion
- Increasing fatigue or a sudden decrease in your ability to do your usual activities
- Loss of appetite or nausea
- Fullness or bloating in the stomach
- Confusion or restlessness
- Intermittent or mild shortness of breath
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Urgent Signs of Heart Failure:
- Increasing shortness of breath or new shortness of breath while resting
- Trouble sleeping due to difficulty breathing (needing to use extra pillows or waking up short of breath)
- A fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or a “racing heart” that persists and makes you feel dizzy or lightheaded
- Coughing up frothy or pink sputum
- Feeling faint
If you experience the above symptoms contact our office immediately at (508) 368-3130 and ask for our Nurse Triage Line.
If You Experience These Emergency Symptoms Call 911 Immediately:
- Chest discomfort not relieved after a maximum of 3 nitroglycerin tablets under the tongue spaced 5 minutes apart
- Severe, persistent shortness of breath
- Fainting or passing out