Heart Failure 

Uh Oh.....my heart stopped!! No, that's not what heart failure means. Heart failure is when the heart is having a difficult time pumping. When the heart isn't pumping correctly, the body holds on to excess fluids. 

Symptoms include: 

Swelling to your ankles and/or feet - gravity is pulling all the extra fluid to your feet.

Chest pain - caused by your heart working harder and excess fluid

Unusual shortness of breath - caused by a buildup of fluid in the lungs

Fatigue - caused by heart working harder, yet not being able to circulate efficiently.

Diagnosis

Many tests can confirm heart failure such as: blood work, chest xray, cardiac echo, and/or an EKG.

Treatment

Your provider will most likely get you started on a diuretic, also known as a "water pill" to remove the extra fluid from the body through the kidneys and urine.

Prevention

Take medications as prescribed

Weigh yourself daily and notify your provider of a weight gain of 2-3lbs in a day or 5lbs in one week.

Follow a low sodium diet.

Stop smoking, avoid alcohol.

Exercise - even chair exercises are helpful.

For more information, click on the following link: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure