What should you know about acute heart failure?

Fluid may build up in the lungs or body, causing severe breathlessness, coughing, swelling, exhaustion, or difficulty lying flat. It can begin in someone with known heart failure or be the first sign of a heart problem.

When the heart cannot move blood forward adequately, pressure rises behind it. Fluid can then leak into lung tissue, while reduced circulation may leave the skin cool and the person weak, confused, or light-headed. Symptoms can worsen over hours or days.

Clinicians assess breathing, oxygen level, heart rhythm, blood pressure, fluid retention, and possible triggers. Tests may include an electrocardiogram, blood tests, a chest image, and an ultrasound scan of the heart.

New breathlessness at rest or a rapid deterioration needs prompt medical attention. Sit upright if breathing is easier that way, avoid exertion, and have someone stay with you. Do not take extra heart tablets or water tablets unless a clinician has given you a specific plan.

Bring your medicine list and describe when symptoms began, whether ankle swelling has increased, and whether you have chest discomfort, palpitations, fever, or missed doses. These details help identify the trigger and guide treatment.

Call UAE emergency services on 998 for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, fainting, new confusion, chest pressure, or coughing up pink frothy fluid. Do not drive yourself. Sudden breathlessness with sweating or collapse also warrants an ambulance.

Contact a clinician urgently for increasing breathlessness, a need to sleep more upright, rapidly worsening swelling, or much less urine than usual, even when symptoms do not yet feel severe.

Ask what triggered the episode, whether heart pumping or valve function has changed, how each medicine should be taken, which daily symptoms to monitor, and exactly whom to contact if breathlessness or swelling returns.