COVID-19 Vaccinations available for 5 years old and older - More information here. OUR HOSPITALS 4 Early Signs of Heart Failure You Can’t Ignore Share this story: November 19, 2021 Clinical Contributors to this Story Robert Berkowitz, M.D. contributes to topics such as Heart Failure and Transplantation Cardiology. Everyone gets short of breath once in a while. But if it happens when you’re not exercising or dashing around during busy days, it could be an early signal your heart isn’t pumping as well as it should—also known as heart failure. “Heart failure doesn’t mean the heart just stops, but that it’s not working right and you’re not breathing right,” says cardiologist Robert Berkowitz, M.D., who specializes in heart failure and transplant cardiology at Hackensack University Medical Center. Top 4 Signs Shortness of breath when you aren’t exercising or doing strenuous activity Difficulty breathing when lying down (heart failure causes fluid below the chest to press on the lungs) Unexplained swelling, especially in the legs and feet (because the heart doesn’t have enough power to efficiently move blood through the body) Tiredness or fatigue “In some cases, there might also be chest pain and palpitations with early heart failure,” adds Dr. Berkowitz, who founded Hackensack’s Heart Failure Program in 2000, noting that symptoms depend on whether your heart is too weak or too stiff. Either problem can cause heart failure. Confirming the Diagnosis Though older age—as well as chronic high blood pressure, prior heart attack or family history of heart disease—places you at greater risk of developing heart failure, many are surprised to learn that young people are not immune to the condition. “Younger people find they can’t run anymore or can’t go up the stairs quickly—that something has changed dramatically,” Dr. Berkowitz explains. “Breathing is almost always affected. Some patients can’t talk in full sentences.” Confirming the diagnosis typically involves several tests. First is a BNP blood test, which Dr. Berkowitz and others developed about 20 years ago. It looks for a biomarker in blood called B-type natriuretic peptide, which is released when the heart is under stress. A BNP test can tell the difference between heart failure and pneumonia, despite looking similar on X-rays and producing similar symptoms. Other heart failure testing can include echocardiogram (often dubbed an “echo”), which uses ultrasound to produce images of your heart as it beats. Additionally, an electrocardiogram, or EKG, may be done to track the electrical impulses of your heart, measuring rhythm, strength and timing. If you experience one or more early signs of heart failure, Dr. Berkowitz urges you to see your primary care doctor or a cardiologist. “Early identification is the most important thing,” he says. “Heart failure is a very common disease, but we have great treatments for it and you shouldn’t be afraid.” Next Steps & Resources: Meet our source: Robert Berkowitz, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Berkowitz, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website. Learn more about comprehensive cardiac care close to home at Hackensack Meridian Health Should you take a daily aspirin to prevent a heart attack? How to keep your heart healthy as you age The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care. eNewsletter Sign up to receive the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender Male Female Unspecified Popular Stories Can Heart Failure Be Reversed? Hackensack Meridian Cardiologists Using Shockwave to Improve Heart Disease Treatment 6 Reasons You Many Need Pelvic Floor Rehab 4 Easy and Healthy Sides to Add to Your Thanksgiving Table John Theurer Cancer Center Takes the Top Spot and Prize in the 2021 Breeders Crown... You May Also Be Interested In Articles and Videos, Cardiac / Heart Health, Featured, Health Topics Can Heart Failure Be Reversed? Heart failure is one of the top killers in the United States, claiming about 380,000 lives every year. But while… Articles and Videos, Featured, Health Topics, Weight Loss, Wellness 4 Easy and Healthy Sides to Add to Your Thanksgiving Table The holidays can be filled with lots of laughter, love and joy, but also accompanied by hefty calories and temporary… Articles and Videos, Cardiac / Heart Health, Featured, Health Topics, Wellness Worst Foods to Eat for Your Health If you haven’t thought about whether or not the foods that you consume are truly nourishing you, take time to… Articles and Videos, COVID-19, Featured, Health Topics Could You Be Suffering From Long COVID? While most people recover from COVID-19 after a few weeks, others continue to suffer long after the virus no longer…