Heart Failure

Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:

• Symptoms of Reference sudden heart failure Opens New Window, such as:
  • Severe shortness of breath (trouble getting a breath even when resting).
  • Suddenly getting an irregular heartbeat that lasts for a while, or getting a very fast heartbeat along with dizziness, nausea, or fainting.
  • Foamy, pink mucus with a cough and shortness of breath.
• Symptoms of a Reference heart attack Opens New Window, such as:
  • Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
  • Sweating.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.
  • Lightheadedness or sudden weakness.
  • A fast or irregular heartbeat.
• Symptoms of a Reference stroke Opens New Window. These include:
  • Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
  • Sudden vision changes.
  • Sudden trouble speaking.
  • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
  • Sudden problems with walking or balance.
  • A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.

Call your doctor right away if you have a pacemaker or ICD and think you have an infection near the device. Signs of an infection include:

• Changes in the skin around your pacemaker or ICD, such as:
  • Swelling.
  • Warmth.
  • Redness.
  • Pain.
• Fever not caused by the flu or another illness.

Call your doctor soon if you have symptoms of Reference heart failure Opens New Window, which include:

• Being very tired or having weakness that prevents you from doing your usual activities.
• Having breathing problems such as:
  • Trouble breathing during routine activities or exercise that did not cause problems before.
  • Sudden shortness of breath, even if it is mild.
  • 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 3 lb (1.4 kg) or more in 2 to 3 days.
• Increased fluid buildup in your body (most often in the legs).

Call your doctor soon if:

• Your heart failure symptoms get worse.
• You have a sudden change in symptoms.
• You're having trouble keeping even minor symptoms under control.

Who to see

Many different Reference types of doctors and nurses can treat you for heart failure, including your family doctor.

© 1995-2011, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.