Heart Failure Awareness – When to Take It Seriously

 

Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Have:

🚨 Severe shortness of breath, especially at rest

🚨 Sudden difficulty breathing while lying down

🚨 Chest pain or pressure

🚨 Fainting or loss of consciousness

🚨 Blue or gray lips, fingers, or skin

🚨 Rapid or irregular heartbeat with dizziness

🚨 Coughing up pink, frothy sputum

🚨 Sudden confusion or severe weakness

Contact a Doctor Promptly If You Notice:

⚠️ Swelling of feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen

⚠️ Unexplained weight gain (more than 2–3 kg in a few days)

⚠️ Increasing tiredness and reduced ability to exercise

⚠️ Shortness of breath during normal daily activities

⚠️ Needing extra pillows to sleep comfortably

⚠️ Frequent nighttime urination

⚠️ Persistent cough or wheezing

⚠️ Loss of appetite or nausea

Common Risk Factors

• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• Diabetes
• Previous heart attack
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol use
• Kidney disease

Prevention Tips

✔ Control blood pressure and blood sugar

✔ Take prescribed medications regularly

✔ Reduce salt intake

✔ Maintain a healthy weight

✔ Exercise regularly as advised by your doctor

✔ Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol

✔ Attend regular medical check-ups

Remember:

Shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, rapid weight gain, or chest pain should never be ignored. Early treatment can prevent serious complications and hospitalization.

Perambalur Polyclinic Medical Centre
Sangupettai, Thuraiyur Road, Perambalur
📞 95972 92678 | 81486 78678