Approximately 5.1 million Americans suffer from heart failure. Sadly, half of those diagnosed will die within 5 years of diagnosis.
Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump an adequate supply of blood to meet your body’s needs for blood and oxygen.
When a person has heart failure, his or her body does not receive enough oxygen in the body’s cells. Cells that are not properly oxygenated cannot function normally, causing a multitude of health problems.
Symptoms of heart failure include:
1. Shortness of breath of breath during activity, while at rest or while sleeping. In addition, if you have trouble breathing while lying flat.
2. Difficulty sleeping at night if you’re having trouble breathing while lying flat. This can also cause you to awaken anxious and tired.
3. Rapid Weight Gain, such as 2-3 pounds in a 24 hour period.
4. Swelling in your feet and legs. Your shoes might also feel tight.
5. Persistent, dry cough and wheezing. The cough may also produce a white or pink blood-tinged mucus.
6. Decreased Energy. It’s common for those with heart failure to feel tired all time.
7. Nausea, loss of appetite, or a feeling of being full or sick to your stomach.
8. Dizziness or Loss of Consciousness. It is not uncommon of those who are experiencing shortness of breath to feel dizzy or lose consciousness.
9. Confusion, impaired thinking or memory loss often occurs when your’e not getting enough sleep each night.
10. Heart palpitations or the feeling that your heart is racing.
[su_document url=”http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_477328.pdf” width=”700″]Trucker’s Letter To Paul Ryan In Washington[/su_document]