About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Acute Heart Failure Symptoms
Introduction
Acute heart failure (AHF) is a sudden onset or rapid worsening of heart failure symptoms. It is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Understanding its symptoms and seeking early treatment can improve outcomes.
Common Symptoms
1. Breathing Difficulties
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea), especially when lying down.
- Sudden nighttime breathlessness (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea).
- Rapid breathing and feeling of suffocation.
2. Fluid Retention and Swelling
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet (peripheral edema).
- Sudden weight gain due to fluid buildup.
- Swelling of the abdomen (ascites).
3. Fatigue and Weakness
- Feeling unusually tired and weak.
- Reduced exercise capacity and difficulty performing daily tasks.
4. Chest Symptoms
- Chest pain or discomfort, which may indicate underlying cardiac ischemia.
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeat.
5. Mental Confusion and Dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Lightheadedness or episodes of fainting.
When to Seek Help?
Emergency medical help is required if: - You experience sudden shortness of breath or wheezing. - You have severe chest pain. - You feel dizzy or faint frequently.
Early recognition and treatment of acute heart failure can prevent complications and improve survival rates.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Heart Failure
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.heart.org/en/professional/quality-improvement/get-with-the-guidelines/get-with-the-guidelines-heart-failure
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/-/media/832EA0F4E73948848612F228F7FA2D35.ashx
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Heart Failure
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447992/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Focused-Update-on-Heart-Failure-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/37/3627/7246292
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.