Many of us feel occasionally anxious these days, and that’s understandable given the challenges of the past couple of years. Feeling distracted, worried and finding it hard to concentrate is common when we’re anxious.
The rapid, strained breathing that is often experienced by people suffering through a severe anxiety attack along with chest tightness and palpitations, that is an awareness of one’s heartbeat, are also symptoms that can signal congestive heart failure.
Your heart is the most vital muscle in your body. It pumps blood, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your cells. It has four chambers, separated by valves that flow blood into and out of the heart. The left two chambers supply blood to your body, while the right two chambers distribute blood to your lungs. It is a major understatement to say that the function of your heart affects your quality of your life!
Sometimes the heart doesn’t beat as it should, which means it must work harder to supply blood to your body. When blood isn’t pumped efficiently, it can back up or “congest” your whole system. Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition that, if left unaddressed, can lead to severe complications and hospitalization. Long before it becomes an emergency, however, congestive heart failure can be managed in partnership with your primary care physician and cardiologist.
First, recognize the early symptoms of heart failure. Let your doctor know if you often experience a rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing when resting or with minimal exertion. Extreme fatigue, confusion and fainting are also symptoms that need to be investigated. Swollen legs or feet, the result of fluid that is “backed up” into these tissues are common signs.
A swollen abdomen can be a warning too, as people with heart failure sometimes gain weight suddenly due to the fluid buildup. Coughing or wheezing an unusual amount can be another sign, but the most common symptom of congestive heart failure is shortness of breath as fluid overloads the lungs. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away.
Common causes of congestive heart failure are coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. The good news is that all these conditions can be managed. Often with exercise, a diet of heart-healthy, low-salt foods, weight loss, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol and managing stress levels things will get better. But if needed, several classes of medications are available and effective. There are also mechanical causes of heart failure such as heart valve diseases that may be managed with various reparative procedures.
Partner with your health care team. They will help sort out the reasons that heart failure has developed, and they’ll help you take care of your heart. If there’s a problem to fix, they’ll know. They’ll evaluate and monitor your symptoms over time, while also getting to know you and your life.
Depending on your stage of heart failure, you may be prescribed medication to regulate heart rhythm, improve blood flow or reduce fluid. If appropriate, your doctor may recommend a procedure to improve your quality of life. But lifestyle changes are important regardless of the stage.
Together, you can make the changes needed to keep your heart healthy. Managing any chronic condition is a day-by-day process, but with your doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists and health coaches at your side, congestive heart failure can be managed before it becomes an emergency. Heart disease can run in families, so genetic counseling — also available through your care team — can help you know your risk of developing a heart condition even before symptoms appear.
It’s perfectly normal to experience anxiety these days. But don’t assume that physical symptoms are “just worry.” Your heart may be telling you something else is going on. And if it’s not your heart but your head, your care team can help you manage anxiety too.