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