Caregivers & Family

Symptoms to Watch

Changes in heart failure symptoms may indicate that the condition is getting worse or is not responding to treatment. If the individual you're caring for suddenly has a new symptom, or current symptoms worsen, call your physician right away.

Have you noticed:

• Shortness of breath while at rest, not related to exercise or exertion?
• Increased fatigue or the patient feeling tired all the time?
• Sudden weight gain?
  Keep an eye on fluid accumulation—it's important for people with heart failure to weigh themselves every day.
• Increased swelling of extremities, including legs, ankles or feet?
• Pain or swelling in the abdomen?
• Trouble sleeping; awakening with shortness of breath?
• Frequent dry, hacking cough?
• Loss of appetite?

Make sure to keep the phone numbers for the patient's primary care physician and cardiologist by your telephone so you can contact them quickly if any symptoms change. If your loved one is ever in severe distress, call 911 immediately. Some people with advanced-stage heart failure may experience a sudden change in symptoms that requires immediate emergency care.