What are the symptoms of left-sided heart failure?
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Symptoms for left-sided heart failure include fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Left-sided heart failure is the most common form of heart failure. During left-sided heart failure, fluid accumulates in the lungs. At first, the accumulation may be small resulting in shortness of breath during periods of exertion. As heart failure worsens and more fluid accumulates, breathing may become difficult, even at rest. A person experiencing left-sided heart failure may wake from sleep gasping for air. These symptoms can be eased by sitting up, because the gravity allows the fluids to drain to the bottom of the lungs. A person suffering from advanced heart failure may experience an unusual breathing pattern (Cheyne-Stokes) characterized by episodes of rapid and deep breathing followed by several seconds without breath. This unusual breathing pattern is caused when the brain receives low-oxygenated blood.
Symptoms for left-sided heart failure include fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Left-sided heart failure is the most common form of heart failure. During left-sided heart failure, fluid accumulates in the lungs. At first, the accumulation... More -
Joan Haizlip answered:Symptoms for left sided heart failure are related to fluid buildup in the lungs, making it hard to breathe:- shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- unable to lie flat (orthopnea) and need to use multiple pillows to sit up to sleep
Symptoms for left sided heart failure are related to fluid buildup in the lungs, making it hard to breathe: - shortness of breath (dyspnea) - unable to lie flat (orthopnea) and need to use multiple pillows to sit up to... More -
Dr. Nirav Y Raval of Piedmont Heart Institute answered:Left-sided heart failure is often called "backward" heart failure. This refers to symptoms that are predominately respiratory in nature. Patients with left-sided heart failure often have shortness of breath otherwise known as dyspnea. The dyspnea they may suffer may be with mild or moderate exertion. Often times, patients may be dyspneic at rest. Patients also have shortness of breath while lying flat. This is referred to as orthopnea. Patients may decrease this symptom by sleeping on an increasing number of pillows secondary to this uncomfortable feeling. Another related symptom of left-sided heart failure is paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. This is a sudden episode of shortness of breath that occurs usually at night after achieving sleep. This is often ameliorated by patients sitting up and perhaps even walking around in order to regain their breath. Other symptoms of left-sided heart failure may include wheezing. This is often referred to as cardiac asthma. In summary, left-sided heart failure refers to heart dysfunction that reflects backward into the pulmonary circulation resulting in the conditions mentioned above.Left-sided heart failure is often called "backward" heart failure. This refers to symptoms that are predominately respiratory in nature. Patients with left-sided heart failure often have shortness of breath otherwise known as... More
