The feet, legs and ankles begin to swell under the increased fluid volume, a condition known as edema. This edema can spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs. If the fluid accumulation affects the lungs, it can be a life-threatening situation. Along with edema of the lower extremities, the most common symptom of CHF is shortness of breath and often, fatigue, weakness, and the inability to perform physical activities. Weight gain from the excess fluid is another common symptom.
Some people begin to cough up pinkish, blood-tinged sputum.
Because of the shortage of donor hearts, heart assist devices are often used to keep patients alive while they await transplant. Assist devices, which take over the majority of the heart's pumping function, allow the heart to rest, heal, and grow stronger. As a result, patients often become healthier and stronger before they undergo transplant surgery. P.A. surgeons have begun performing a new surgical technique at the Texas Heart Institute on certain patients with enlarged, failing hearts. It is hoped that this operation may be an alternative to heart transplantation for some patients.