Symptoms of heart failure: Don't ignore these signs where your body is trying to warn you

Heart failure symptoms: Persistent, unexplained tiredness could mean your heart is struggling to supply enough oxygen-rich blood to your organs. If you feel constantly weak despite adequate rest, it may be time to check your heart health (Image: Canva)

Heart failure is a growing health concern that is  silently affecting  people due to sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, and rising stress levels. Heart failure occurs when the heart becomes unable to pump blood effectively, depriving the body’s organs of the oxygen they need to function properly. This condition, often misunderstood or misdiagnosed, impacts millions, with studies showing that one in four people will experience heart failure in their lifetime.

While chest pain is often thought to be the primary indicator of heart trouble, the reality is that many signs of heart failure are subtle, silent, and frequently ignored. According to Dr Pravin Kahale, Consultant, Cardiology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, understanding these quieter symptoms is essential for early intervention. “The problem is that heart failure can masquerade as simple fatigue or breathlessness, leading to delayed diagnosis. Awareness of these silent signs can make all the difference,” Dr Kahale explains.

Dr Kahale shares 5 silent signs of heart failure that shouldn’t be ignored:

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 1. Fatigue: Persistent, unexplained tiredness could mean your heart is struggling to supply enough oxygen-rich blood to your organs. If you feel constantly weak despite adequate rest, it may be time to check your heart health.

2. Activity limitation: Feeling out of breath or exhausted during routine activities, like climbing stairs or walking short distances, is not just about ageing or being out of shape. This could signal your heart’s diminished ability to pump blood efficiently.

3. Congestion: A buildup of fluid in the lungs, often mistaken for the flu, can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, or a chronic cough, even without a respiratory infection. This "cardiac cough" is often overlooked but is a major red flag.

4. Edema (Swelling): Swelling in the ankles, legs, or abdomen, along with rapid, unexplained weight gain, often indicates fluid retention, one of the earliest physical signs of heart failure. “Many patients come in thinking it’s just water weight or a side effect of diet, but this can be your heart crying for help,” warns Dr Kahale.

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5. Shortness of breath: Waking up breathless or needing to prop yourself up with extra pillows to sleep comfortably can indicate fluid buildup in the lungs, making it harder for your body to oxygenate properly

Diagnosis and prevention:

Early diagnosis of heart failure relies on a combination of clinical assessment, medical history, and diagnostic tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, and NT-proBNP blood tests. These tests can indicate whether the heart is under stress or working efficiently.

To reduce your risk of heart failure, cardiologists recommend a heart-healthy lifestyle:

To maintain a healthy heart, it’s essential to adopt a balanced lifestyle. Eating a diet rich in nutrients while reducing salt and sugar intake helps support cardiovascular health and prevents complications like high blood pressure and obesity. “Regular exercise, such as walking, yoga, or strength training, strengthens the heart and boosts fitness. Managing chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes through medication, diet, and stress management is crucial for reducing cardiovascular risk. It’s also important to minimise exposure to air pollution and manage stress, as both can quietly impact heart health over time,” says Dr Kahale.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.