Side effects of heart failure

Heart failure means the heart is not pumping or relaxing well enough to meet the body's needs. Pressure can then build in the lungs, causing breathlessness or a cough, especially when lying down. Fluid may collect in the legs and ankles, while reduced circulation can leave you tired and less able to exercise. Palpitations may reflect an abnormal rhythm such as atrial fibrillation. High blood pressure can strain the heart over time, but symptoms can have several causes.

Take prescribed medicines as directed and do not stop them suddenly. Track changes in breathing, ankle swelling, weight, activity tolerance and sleep, then share the pattern at a Chronic Disease Review. Limit changes to salt or fluid intake to the plan given by your clinical team. Contact your clinician promptly if symptoms are gradually worsening, your shoes become tight from swelling, or you need more pillows to sleep.

Get emergency help for sudden or severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, new confusion, blue or grey lips, or coughing up pink frothy mucus. Seek urgent assessment for rapidly increasing swelling, a new irregular heartbeat with dizziness, or breathlessness at rest. These changes can signal fluid in the lungs or a dangerous rhythm and should not wait for a routine appointment.

Ask which symptoms should trigger a same-day call, how to monitor fluid retention, whether your medicines need review, and whether rhythm or blood-pressure conditions are contributing.