You notice that you are getting more short of breath when you climb stairs, or go for your usual cycle or gym session. Your ankles start to swell, particularly towards the end of the day, and you may wake up at night feeling short of breath. Another symptom is a persistant dry cough, an early sign of fluid building up on your lungs. These are the main symptoms of left-sided heart failure. In right-sided heart failure the main symptoms are tiredness, an awareness of fullness in the neck, fullness in the abdomen, ankle swelling, and in the late stages, swelling of the abdomen due to excess fluid.
Treatment is aimed at the particular underlying condition.
So, if the problem is a distrubance of rhythm, then that will be controlled. In situations where the underlying cause cannot be completely corrected, then treatment is aimed at increasing the contractility of the heart and relieving the load of excess fluid. Diuretics, or water tablets, are used to relieve the fluid load. You should call on your GP to assist you with any specific medical problems you may be experiencing. Medicine is an ever-changing science.