Don’t Fail to Recognize
A common misconception of heart failure is that this occurs when the heart has completely stopped beating. The term heart failure refers to when the heart does not pump blood throughout the body as well as it should. When this occurs, your body is being deprived of the oxygen it needs to continue functioning normally.
Early signs of heart failure include:
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent coughing or wheezing
- Excess fluid in the body
- Fatigue
- Increased heart rate
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Lack of appetite
If one or more of these symptoms appear, it is time to seek help. The damage that has already been caused cannot be reversed; however, you can improve the symptoms and minimize their impact on your daily life.
Your physician’s treatment plan may include lifestyle changes including diet and exercise, medications, surgery or ongoing care.
Find a heart specialist near you.
Featured Heart Specialists

Neil Galindez, MD
