Learn about the risk factors for heart failure, how to recognize signs of early heart failure and what treatments can help you live well.

Recognizing FACES: Signs of Early Heart Failure

The warning signs of early heart failure are usually mild and easy to overlook. Knowing your risks and what to watch for can help you get treatment as early as possible so you can live a full life.

Stages of Heart Failure

When you have heart failure, the heart muscle can't beat hard enough to pump oxygen-rich blood efficiently throughout the body. Blood vessels that supply the heart with blood get backed up, and extra fluid leaks into other parts of the body, causing the symptoms of heart failure.

Heart failure may affect both chambers, or ventricles, of the heart or only the right or left side. In all cases, heart failure is classified into four progressive stages. In Stage A, the first stage, only risk factors for heart failure are present. During Stage D, the final stage, heart failure symptoms cause multiple hospitalizations or interfere with daily life.

Risk Factors for Heart Failure

Heart failure risk factors include being age 65 or older or having one or more of the following:

• A family history of heart failure
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Lung diseases
• Sleep apnea

Remember the FACES of Heart Failure

The Heart Failure Society of America created a simple way to memorize common symptoms of heart failure. It's called FACES, and it stands for:

Fatigue is extreme tiredness for no apparent reason. When the body can't pump enough blood, it compensates by sending more oxygen-rich blood to the brain and heart and less to muscles and organs that aren't as vital. Muscles tire faster because of decreased blood flow, causing fatigue.

Heart failure can limit everyday activities. Even simple tasks like climbing steps or showering can be challenging.

When the heart's left ventricle can't keep pace with the blood returning to the heart from the lungs, the blood backs up. Too much fluid enters the lungs, leading to congestion and frequent coughing or wheezing.

Edema is swelling that develops when too much fluid leaks into tissues. Edema often affects the abdomen, ankles, fingers or legs, but it can affect other parts of the body, too.

Fluid buildup in the lungs makes you feel short of breath. Shortness of breath, also called dyspnea, can happen with activity or when resting.

Additional Signs and Symptoms

Other symptoms of heart failure may include:

• Abdominal or chest pain
• Confusion, difficulty concentrating or memory issues
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Increased or irregular heartbeat
• Nausea
• Poor appetite
• Sudden weight gain of more than two to three pounds in 24 hours
• Trouble sleeping on your back

Without treatment, heart failure may cause:

• Kidney or liver damage
• Malnutrition
• Other heart problems, such as cardiac arrest or leaking heart valves

Heart Failure Treatment

There's no cure for heart failure, but treatment can help manage symptoms. Treatments vary based on the type and stage of heart failure.

Common treatments include:

• Cardiac rehabilitation
• Diet or exercise changes
• Managing other health conditions
• Medication
• Quitting smoking
• Surgery