5 WARNING SIGNS OF EARLY HEART FAILURE

The earliest symptoms of heart failure are often very subtle, but it's dangerous to ignore them.
 

To help both doctors and patients quickly spot a possible combination of heart failure symptoms, the Heart Failure Society of America (www.HFSA.org) developed a handy tool that goes by the acronym FACES.
 

F = Fatigue. When the heart can't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to meet the body's energy needs, a general feeling of tiredness or fatigue sets in.
 

A = Activity limitation. People with heart failure are often unable to do their normal activities because they become easily tired and short of breath.
 

C = Congestion. Fluid buildup in the lungs can result in coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulty.
 

E = Edema or ankle swelling. When the heart doesn't have enough pumping power to force used blood back up from the lower extremities, fluid can collect in the ankles, legs, thighs, and abdomen. Excess fluid can also cause rapid weight gain.
 

S = Shortness of breath. Fluid in the lungs makes it more difficult for carbon dioxide in used blood to be exchanged for fresh oxygen. It may also be harder to breathe when lying down because gravity allows fluid from below the lungs to travel up the torso.
 

These five warning signs do not confirm a diagnosis of heart failure, but they do convey a sense of urgency to seek medical advice.