Never Fail to Recognize Symptoms and Risk Factors of Heart Failure

The mother of a caregiver at Home Helpers has battled COVID and serious cardiovascular and pulmonary repercussions since days before Christmas 2023. She has been on a recovery rollercoaster for nearly two months. Her two daughters and her 82-year-old sister have been providing care and much-needed support, but their senior loved one has felt frustrated, fearful, isolated, and disheartened.

The beleaguered senior scheduled an appointment with her cardiologist, and fortunately, her chest x-ray and labs confirmed that she was not experiencing congestive heart failure or other cardio issues that she suspected. The doctor said her main problem stemmed from an infection embedded in her lungs. These findings led to her most recent doctor’s appointment with her pulmonologist.

I share this story because this sweet senior feared that her heart was failing. Thankfully, that is not the case. However, cardiovascular issues impact countless seniors, many of whom fail to recognize the symptoms and risk factors of heart failure.

“Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood the way it should. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs causing shortness of breath,” explains the Mayo Clinic.

Conditions like narrowed arteries and high blood pressure are contributing factors to certain heart conditions that can limit blood flow, but there are treatment options and lifestyle changes that can improve symptoms to help people with heart failure live longer.

Symptoms of Heart Failure

Symptoms of heart failure may develop over time or occur suddenly:

• Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down
• Fatigue and weakness
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Reduced ability to exercise
• Wheezing
• A persistent cough that continues or expels white or pink mucus with spots of blood
• Swelling in the abdomen
• Very rapid weight gain from fluid buildup
• Nausea and lack of appetite
• Difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness
• Chest pain if heart failure is caused by a heart attack

It is recommended you see your doctor if you think you might have symptoms of heart failure, or call 911 when experiencing the following symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Fainting or severe weakness
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat with shortness of breath, chest pain, or fainting
• Sudden, severe shortness of breath and coughing up white or pink foamy mucus

Mayo Clinic says, “These symptoms may be due to heart failure. But there are other possible causes. Don’t try to diagnose yourself.”

You are encouraged to call your primary care provider immediately if you have heart failure and:

• Your symptoms suddenly become worse
• You develop a new symptom
• You gain 5 pounds or more within a few days

These changes could indicate that existing heart failure is getting worse or that treatment options are not working.

Risk Factors for Heart Failure

The following are known to increase the risk of heart failure:

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• Heart valve disease
• High blood pressure
• Irregular heartbeats
• Congenital heart disease
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Obesity
• Viral infections
• Some diabetes medications
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Some medications that treat high blood pressure, cancer, blood conditions, irregular heartbeats, nervous system diseases, mental health conditions, lung and urinary problems, and infections
• Aging
• Alcohol use
• Smoking or tobacco use

Preventing Heart Failure

“One way to prevent heart failure is to treat and control the conditions that can cause it. These conditions include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity,” suggests the Mayo Clinic.

Certain lifestyle changes used to manage heart failure may also help prevent it:

• Don’t smoke
• Get plenty of exercise
• Eat healthy foods
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Reduce and manage stress
• Take medications as directed

February is American Heart Month, and my team and I care about you and your senior loved ones, which is why we’re here to help make life easier in many ways.

The compassionate caregivers I employ at Home Helpers® are highly trained and skilled to provide professional in-home care services, like assistance with personal care, homemaking tasks, grocery shopping, nutritious meal preparation, companion care, recuperative care, and so much more!

I gladly offer a FREE Assessment to discuss specific ways Home Helpers® can provide the assistance you need and devise a customized care plan that is tailored to you.

Home Helpers® Wheaton & Naperville is proudly Making Life Easier℠ for veterans, differently abled, and senior men and women in Aurora, Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estate, Roselle, Itasca, Medinah, Naperville, Plainfield, Schaumburg, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton, and Winfield.

Source:

Mayo Clinic