Symptoms of Heart Failure

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Heart failure is a serious condition in which the heart cannot pump blood effectively. Common symptoms include breathlessness, fatigue, swollen legs and rapid weight gain due to fluid retention. The condition may develop slowly, making it difficult to detect early. Risk factors include high blood pressure, heart attack, valve disease, diabetes and older age. Heart failure also increases the risk of falls, especially among the elderly.

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Why Heart Failure Is Dangerous

Heart failure means the heart’s pumping ability is reduced. As circulation worsens, the body’s organs receive less oxygen and nutrients. Over 200,000 people in Sweden are estimated to live with heart failure, and the number is increasing with an aging population [1].

The disease may cause both acute and gradual symptoms. Without treatment, heart failure often leads to reduced quality of life, frequent hospital admissions and higher risk of premature death.

What Happens in the Body?

When the heart cannot pump efficiently, fluid builds up in the body. This leads to swelling in the legs, weight gain, shortness of breath and fatigue. The body compensates by raising the pulse and activating hormones, but over time this further burdens the heart.

Heart failure may be left-sided, right-sided or a combination – depending on which part of the heart is weakest.

Common Symptoms of Heart Failure

Typical symptoms include [2]:

• Shortness of breath, first with exertion and later at rest

• Fatigue and reduced stamina

• Swelling in legs, ankles or feet

• Rapid weight gain from fluid retention

• Night-time breathing difficulties, such as coughing or waking with breathlessness

• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations

Symptoms may vary in severity and often progress gradually.

How Heart Failure Affects the Body

Untreated heart failure can cause:

• Fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), leading to severe breathlessness

• Poor oxygen supply, reducing energy and quality of life

• Increased risk of arrhythmias, which may be life-threatening

• Kidney impairment due to poor circulation [3]

Risk Factors for Heart Failure

Heart failure often develops as a consequence of other cardiovascular diseases. Common risk factors are [4]:

• high blood pressure

• previous heart attack

• heart valve disease

• diabetes

• atrial fibrillation

• older age

• smoking and sedentary lifestyle

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is based on medical history, physical exam, ECG, blood tests and echocardiography.

Treatment aims to:

• relieve symptoms with diuretics, ACE inhibitors and beta blockers

• improve quality of life through exercise and diet changes

• prevent acute deterioration with regular follow-ups [5]

In severe cases, pacemakers, heart pumps or transplantation may be considered.

When to Seek Medical Care

You should seek medical attention if you notice:

• persistent breathlessness

• swelling in the legs or sudden weight gain

• night-time breathing problems

• significantly reduced stamina

Seek emergency care for severe breathlessness or chest pain.

Heart Failure and the Risk of Falling

People with heart failure are at increased risk of falls due to several factors:

• Fatigue and reduced stamina affect balance

• Dizziness, caused by both heart failure and blood pressure medications

• Night-time breathing problems, leading to unsteadiness when getting up

• Diuretics and other drugs, which can trigger blood pressure drops [6]

Since falls are a major cause of injury and hospitalization among older adults, it is essential to combine heart failure treatment with fall-prevention strategies.

Safety alarm with automatic fall alarm can increase safety for people with an increased risk of falling

Sensorem’s personal alarm is an example of a technical aid specially developed for people who have an increased risk of falling. The personal alarm can automatically trigger the alarm in the event of a fall and then call relatives using the watch’s built-in speakerphone with two-way communication. The personal alarm works outdoors and has built-in GPS positioning so that relatives can see the user’s position on a map in the Sensorem app.