{"id":241,"date":"2021-01-27T21:33:25","date_gmt":"2021-01-27T21:33:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/heartfailurematters.local:8888\/symptoms-of-heart-failure\/"},"modified":"2024-06-05T00:13:21","modified_gmt":"2024-06-04T23:13:21","slug":"symptoms-of-heart-failure","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.heartfailurematters.org\/understanding-heart-failure\/symptoms-of-heart-failure\/","title":{"rendered":"Symptoms of heart failure"},"content":{"rendered":"

The New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Classification has been used since 1902 and provides a simple way of classifying the severity of heart failure symptoms. This classification places patients in one of four categories based on how much they are limited during daily physical activity.<\/p>\n

The NYHA classification provides a readily understood assessment of the extent of limitation due to heart failure in the individual patient. This information is used when planning a treatment strategy and is also useful in selecting patients for clinical research trials. Functional capacity is strongly related to short and long-term outcomes and the NYHA Classification remains the most useful, easily obtained, prognostic marker in routine clinical use for assessing the status of heart failure patients today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
NYHA Class<\/strong><\/td>\nSymptoms<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
I<\/td>\nNo limitation of physical activity. Ordinary physical activity does not cause undue fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea (shortness of breath).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
II<\/td>\nSlight limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest. Ordinary physical activity results in fatigue, palpitation, dyspnea (shortness of breath).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
III<\/td>\nMarked limitation of physical activity. Comfortable at rest. Less than ordinary activity causes fatigue, palpitation, or dyspnea.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IV<\/td>\nUnable to carry on any physical activity without discomfort. Symptoms of heart failure at rest. If any physical activity is undertaken, discomfort increases.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Heart failure symptoms can vary widely from person to person, depending on the type of heart failure you have. Therefore, you may experience all the symptoms described here or just a few of them.<\/p>\n

In the early stages, you may not notice any symptoms, but if your heart failure progresses you are likely to experience symptoms, which may become more severe.<\/p>\n

The main symptoms of heart failure are caused by fluid accumulation<\/strong><\/a> or congestion<\/strong><\/a> and poor blood flow to the body. This section will explain these symptoms and provide tips on how to improve them.<\/p>\n

Simply click on any of the links below to learn more:<\/p>\n

Symptoms caused by fluid accumulation or congestion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\nShortness of breath<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nCoughing\/wheezing<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nWeight gain<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nSwollen ankles, legs or abdomen<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Symptoms related to the reduced blood flow to parts of the body.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\nTiredness\/fatigue<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nDizziness<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nRapid heart rate<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other symptoms of heart failure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/td>\nLoss of appetite<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"\"<\/td>\nNeed to urinate at night<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Parallel hearts – Ever wondered what it’s like to live with heart failure?<\/h2>\n