5 ways you’re making your allergies

When we Test talk about the early signs of heart failure, it is often easy to dismiss them. Who hasn’t felt unusually tired after a long week? Or chalked up mild shortness of breath to a workout you skipped? But before these symptoms go unnoticed, they can be the subtle whispers of your heart asking for attention.

When we talk about the early signs of heart failure, it is often easy to dismiss them. Who hasn’t felt unusually tired after a long week? Or chalked up mild shortness of breath to a workout you skipped? But before these symptoms go unnoticed, they can be the subtle whispers of your heart asking for attention.

What is heart failure?

1. Shortness of breath during activity, rest or even sleep. This may be especially noticeable when lying flat.
2. Fatigue and weakness that interferes with daily activities and makes it hard to exercise.
3. Swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen and veins in the neck.
4. Rapid or irregular heartbeat accompanied by palpitations or a pounding heart.
5. Reduced ability to exercise or be physically active without getting winded.

If you have been experiencing any or a combination of these heart failure symptoms and are worried you may be experiencing heart failure, talk to your cardiologist, if you have one, or your primary care physician, who can refer you to a cardiologist for specialized care.

Want to learn more about your heart health?{' '} Take our heart health quiz. 

• Quitting smoking
• Keeping a healthy weight
• Managing stress
• Tracking fluid intake
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine
• Monitoring{' '} blood pressure  and symptoms
• Following a{' '} heart-healthy diet  {' '}
• Prioritizing good{' '} sleep  habits
• Staying active
• Avoiding tight clothing and extreme heat

The 4 stages of heart failure

If any of these early signs of heart failure are making themselves known, you don’t have to face them alone. Early detection and treatment can slow progression, ease symptoms and preserve your quality of life.