Heart Failure
When to Call a Doctor
Call911or other emergency services immediately if you have:
- Chest pain that has not gone away within 5 minutes after taking one nitroglycerin dose and/or resting, especially if the pain is pressing or crushing and occurs with shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea.
- Symptoms of a stroke. These include:
- Sudden onset of tingling, numbness, weakness, or inability to move (paralysis) part or all of one side of your body (face, arm, and leg).
- Sudden dimmed or blurred vision.
- Difficulty speaking or understanding speech.
- Dizziness, vomiting, or seizures.
- Clumsiness.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Headache (severe and in a specific area).
Seek emergency medical care for symptoms of sudden heart failure, such as:
- Severe shortness of breath (trouble getting a breath even when resting).
- A sudden episode of a prolonged, irregular heartbeat or a very rapid heartbeat associated with dizziness, nausea, or fainting.
- Foamy, pink mucus with a cough and shortness of breath.
Call your doctor soon if you have symptoms of heart failure, which include:
- Fatigue or weakness that prevents you from doing your usual activities.
- Difficulty breathing during routine activities or exercise that did not previously cause problems.
- Shortness of breath when you lie down.
- Waking up at night with shortness of breath or feeling as though you are suffocating.
- A dry, hacking cough, especially when you lie down.
- Sudden weight gain, such as 1.4 kg (3 lb)] or more in 2 to 3 days.
- Increased fluid buildup in your body (most often in the legs).
Also call your doctor soon if you have a diagnosis of heart failure and your symptoms get worse. In general, it is a good idea to call your doctor anytime you have a sudden change in symptoms.
Watchful waiting
There are many less serious causes of some of the more minor symptoms that are common to heart failure. It is reasonable to try home treatment for symptoms such as fatigue and mild fluid buildup (edema). However, sudden shortness of breath, even if it is mild, should always be checked by your doctor.
- If symptoms go away completely and do not return, you may not need additional treatment.
- If you need continued home treatment to keep even minor symptoms under control, make an appointment with your doctor.
Shortness of breath caused by being out of shape does not require immediate medical attention. However, you may want to consult a health professional for advice on improving your physical condition. Being in better shape can help improve the quality of your life and possibly can lower your risk of new, serious heart problems, such as a heart attack, or sudden death.4
Who to See
Your family doctor or general practitioner can check early symptoms of heart failure. You may be referred to a specialist, such as a cardiologist or an internist specializing in cardiovascular problems.
A cardiovascular surgeon may perform surgical repair of heart valves or a heart transplant.
More information
 Go to previous section |  Go to top of page |  Go to next section |
| Author: | Douglas Dana Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: October 23, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
 | ||
