Many symptoms of heart failure result from the congestion that develops as fluid backs up into the lungs and leaks into the tissues. Other symptoms result from inadequate delivery of oxygen-rich blood to the body's tissues. Since heart failure can progress rapidly, it is essential to consult a physician immediately if any of the following symptoms are detected.
Patients typically report that they feel out of breath after mild exertion.
Patients may also complain of asthma-like wheezing or a dry hacking cough that occurs a few hours after lying down but then stops after the patient sits up. Over time, patients lose muscle weight due to low cardiac output. Central sleep apnea, in which the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe during sleep, is a common condition associated with heart failure. Sleep apnea causes disordered breathing at night. If heart failure progresses, the apnea may be so acute that the sufferer, unable to breathe, may awaken from sleep in panic.