Heart failure, or heart failure, is a major health problem involving reduced heart function. Patients tend to experience a range of uncomfortable symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, fatigue, and leg edema. These symptoms may be less noticeable at first, but as the disease progresses, they become more severe and can eventually be life-threatening. Fortunately, heart failure is a preventable and treatable condition. Early detection and prompt treatment are essential to effectively control the condition and avoid serious consequences.
To improve the early diagnosis rate of heart failure, understanding and recognizing early symptoms is key. These symptoms include, but are not limited to:
Abnormal fatigue: Fatigue is exacerbated by reduced blood flow throughout the body due to the heart's inability to pump blood efficiently.
Difficulty breathing: People with heart failure may experience difficulty breathing when performing light activities or even at rest.
Edema of the legs and ankles: The weakening of the heart's pumping function leads to a buildup of fluids, especially in the lower half of the body.
Heart palpitations or rapid heartbeat: Heart failure can cause an increase in heart rate to compensate for the decrease in pumping capacity.
For middle-aged and older people, these symptoms may be mistaken for normal changes in old age, but they can actually be a warning sign of heart failure. If you experience the above symptoms, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible for a check-up.
In addition to paying attention to symptoms, healthy Xi in daily life are also important. Maintaining a balanced diet, exercising moderately, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and having regular check-ups can all help reduce the risk of heart failure.
Four early symptoms of heart failure
Dyspnea after exertion: In the early stages of heart failure, common symptoms are chest tightness and difficulty breathing after light activity. Many people mistakenly think that this is due to age or lack of exercise, especially smokers, who may think it is a lung problem, so they tend to ignore this symptom.
Breathing discomfort during sleep: People with heart failure may need to sit up or raise their pillows to relieve breathlessness when they lie flat at night. In addition, frequent urination at night is also a warning sign. This is because when lying down, blood from the legs flows back to the heart, increasing the workload on the heart.
Lower extremity edema and digestive problems: Heart failure can also cause symptoms such as leg edema, bloating, loss of appetite, nausea, and indigestion.
Cough and specific sputum: Coughing, coughing up frothy sputum, or even pink frothy sputum, is typical of late heart failure and indicates possible congestion in the lungs.
Factors that contribute to heart failure
1. Increased cardiac workload
When the heart has to pump blood to higher blood pressure, we call it an increased workload of the heart. In this state, the walls of the ventricles gradually thicken to accommodate the additional load. However, long-term overexertion can lead to decreased heart function and eventually heart failure. It's like an overused machine that eventually fails due to excessive wear and tear.
2. Respiratory infections
A common problem in middle-aged and older people is respiratory infections. It's not just a localized problem, but it affects the whole body, especially the heart. Infection can increase sympathetic activity and accelerate metabolism, which can increase the burden on the heart. This increased burden can trigger the onset of heart failure, so preventing respiratory infections is essential for heart health.
3. Arrhythmias
Cardiac arrhythmias, especially those with a fast heartbeat, are a serious challenge to the heart. Conditions such as paroxysmal tachycardia or rapid atrial fibrillation can greatly increase the workload of the heart. Long-term arrhythmias not only fatigue the heart, but can also accelerate the progression of heart failure.
During the winter months, it is especially important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially for middle-aged and elderly people and people with heart failure. Here are some key health tips:
Stay warm: In cold weather, it's crucial to pay special attention to keeping your body warm. The cold environment may cause the coronary arteries to constrict, which increases the risk of myocardial ischemia, angina, and even myocardial infarction. People with heart failure should be more vigilant about respiratory infections, such as colds and pneumonia, which may exacerbate symptoms of heart failure.
Moderate exercise: While proper rest is important for people with heart failure, proper exercise is just as crucial. Exercise should be done in a way that does not cause shortness of breath, such as walking or tai chi. Avoid strenuous exercise in the cold morning because the morning is a high-risk time for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. Light exercise in the afternoon may be appropriate.
Limit salt intake: During the winter months, people tend to tend to eat foods with stronger flavors, but people with heart failure need to be extra careful about their salt intake. Patients with mild heart failure should not consume more than 6 grams of salt per day, while patients with severe heart failure should limit their salt intake to less than 3 grams.
Consume high-quality protein and high-calorie foods: In winter, patients with heart failure can increase their intake of high-calorie foods, especially high-quality proteins, such as fish and chicken.