As you age, it’s easy to brush off certain symptoms as just part of the natural aging process. However, many of the symptoms you might chalk up to "just getting older" can be early signs of heart failure — a serious condition where your heart can’t pump blood efficiently.
Learning to recognize the difference between aging and heart failure symptoms means that you can potentially reach out to Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques sooner. As with many health conditions, early detection can have a huge impact on your treatment outcomes.
Take a moment as our expert team highlights heart failure symptoms that are easily mistaken for signs of aging, and how we can help you here at Harlem Cardiology.
Heart failure occurs when your heart's ability to deliver oxygen-rich blood to meet your body's needs is compromised. It can develop due to various underlying conditions such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure (hypertension), or damage to the heart muscle from a heart attack.
Let’s take a look at some of the symptoms that people often mistake for signs of aging:
Mild shortness of breath after physical activity, like climbing stairs, can be normal as your body naturally loses stamina with age.
However, persistent shortness of breath, even during routine activities or while lying down, can be signs of trouble. If you’re gasping for air after minimal effort or waking up breathless at night, it’s time to visit us here in East Harlem, New York.
Feeling tired after a busy day or needing more rest than you did in your younger years is expected as you age.
Extreme fatigue and weakness, especially when performing daily tasks like walking or carrying groceries, could signal that your heart isn’t delivering enough blood to your body.
If your energy levels are drastically lower than they should be, consider getting checked for heart issues.
Mild swelling (edema) in your legs can occur as circulation slows down with age or after sitting for long periods. It’s normal to feel a little swollen after long car trips or airplane rides.
Noticeable swelling in your lower body — particularly swelling that doesn’t go away with rest or by elevating your legs — can be a warning sign of heart failure. Persistent and severe swelling happens because when your heart is weak, it struggles to pump blood efficiently — and that can cause fluid buildup in your tissues.
There are many reasons why you might have a persistent cough. Allergies, asthma, and infections (such as a common cold) can all cause coughs. Unfortunately, aging can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to infections that cause coughs.
If you have a cough and are feeling under the weather, you might benefit from typical home remedies for your cold, prescription medications for the flu, or prescription cough medications.
But sometimes a cough can be a warning sign of heart failure. A chronic cough, especially one that produces white or pink-tinged mucus, may be related to fluid buildup in the lungs due to heart failure.
If your cough doesn’t seem to go away or you notice a wheezing sound, don’t ignore it. Even if it’s not related to your heart, swift treatment can help you feel better sooner.
Occasionally feeling your heart race after a strenuous activity or emotional stress is typically harmless.
A consistently rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, even when at rest, can indicate that your heart is working overtime to compensate for its weakened ability to pump blood. If your heart rhythm feels off, get your heart checked out.
A gradual change in weight over time is common, but sudden weight gain without a change in diet or activity level may signal something more serious.
Weight gain can be related to menopause, thyroid issues, poor diet, or even heart issues.
If you notice a rapid weight gain, don’t ignore it. Rapid weight gain — such as 2 to 3 pounds in a single day or 5 pounds in a week — can result from fluid retention, which is a classic symptom of heart failure.
Note: Rapid weight loss can also be a red flag, so to be safe, just monitor for any sudden changes either gaining or losing.
While it’s natural for certain changes to occur as you age, don’t dismiss severe or sudden symptoms as a normal part of getting older. While it can't always be cured, heart failure can be managed with medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, medical devices or surgery.
Dr. Saint-Jacques may recommend surgery to correct a faulty heart valve or to perform coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
You can reach our office at 646-381-2181. You can also schedule an appointment online.
