Heart Failure Symptoms in Women

Because it is assumed that heart failure is less common in women than in men, the heart failure symptoms in women are often overlooked. This is why treating these symptoms also becomes difficult. Here, we discuss the symptoms of heart failure in women, by which this condition can be detected, diagnosed, and treated effectively.

Studies have reported that women are more prone to death from heart failure than men. This is because it is often assumed that men are more prone to heart failure and other heart problems. As such, the symptoms in women go undiagnosed. While the heart failure symptoms in women are similar to those in men, women are likely to develop this condition after menopause. Also, some symptoms are more prominent in women than in men. Further, the onset of the symptoms is slower than those in men. As such, by the time heart failure is recognized, it becomes difficult to completely recover from it. It is however important to note that heart failure in young women is also possible because of the rapid lifestyle changes that are affecting their bodies. Women who smoke are more likely to develop heart failure at a younger age than those who don’t.

Heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to supply enough blood to the rest of the body so that it can perform its necessary functions. Heart failure is often mistaken as a heart attack. However, heart failure occurs over time and refers to the weakening of the heart. A woman may suffer from left sided heart failure or right sided heart failure. In the former case, the heart is unable to pump blood to different body parts, while in the latter case, the heart cannot pump blood to the lungs, from where blood receives its oxygen supply.

Symptoms of Heart Failure in Women

Heart failure is also termed as congestive heart failure, when the heart is unable to function as effectively as it would, leading to blood and fluid retention in different parts of the body. This may be because the heart is unable to supply enough blood to the kidneys for its effective functioning. You may refer to this Buzzle article to learn more about the causes of congestive heart failure. Here, we discuss the symptoms of congestive heart failure in women in more detail.

Shortness of Breath

Women may develop shortness of breath because of water retention in the lungs, also known as pulmonary edema. This results in what is known as exercise intolerance, where even minor exertion can cause them to pant and wheeze. As this occurs due to failure of the right side of the heart, this is one of the prime right sided heart failure symptoms. Women may further experience a difficulty in breathing when they lie down flat. In such a case, using additional pillows to prop the head above the rest of the body may be helpful.

Fatigue/Weakness

Along with difficulty in breathing, fatigue is very likely to be experienced by women who may be having heart failure. While the weakening of the heart is one of the prime causes of this symptom and is more commonly caused by what is known as diastolic heart failure (where enough blood cannot reach the heart because its walls become stiff), it is also likely that the general lack of activity is causing women to feel weak all the time.

Pain in Chest

Though not a common symptom of congestive heart failure, chest pain may occur when women try to perform intense or even light activities. This is because they are putting their heart under stress, and because they are already intolerant to exercise. It is therefore important to note when the chest pain occurs. If it occurs without any intense exercise, it may be one of the signs of a heart attack and should be reported to a doctor immediately.

Cough

A very subtle sign of heart failure in women, it is most often ignored as a sign of a regular cold or cough. However, the persistent cough may be a sign of heart failure when women find themselves wheezing while coughing. It is important that a doctor be consulted before taking any medication for the cough. This cough is known to be one of the symptoms of systolic heart failure in women, particularly those who are above the age of 75. Systolic heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump out enough blood to reach the body, due to obstructions in the arteries.

Edema

Edema or water retention, as mentioned earlier is perhaps one of the biggest congestive heart failure symptoms in women. In such a case, women are likely to find their feet and ankles swollen, though other body parts may also be affected. As mentioned earlier, this may be because the blood supply to the kidney has reduced, thereby preventing it to perform effectively. Women who have heart failure may urinate less often, which leads to the retention of excess water in the body. One may also experience abdominal bloating due to fluid retention in the abdomen. The buildup of fluid or water retention in the stomach can not only cause abdominal bloating, but also a lack of appetite and a reduction in the effectiveness of medicine. Bloating in this area may also happen due to fluid retention in the liver causing your abdomen to feel tender, and retention in the intestines.

Other Symptoms

Some more but less common heart failure symptoms in women include depression (usually occurs when women realize that they are suffering from heart failure), loss of appetite leading to weakness, lightheadedness and confusion (due to lack of oxygen supply to the brain), and a sensation of cold in extremes of the body such as hands and feet (due to lack of blood supply to these parts). These symptoms are likely if a woman has reached the later and more severe stages of congestive heart failure.

Treatment for heart failure in women is possible, but depending on their age and the severity of the condition, the congestive heart failure treatment may or may not be as effective. The sooner the heart failure symptoms are diagnosed, the easier it may be to treat them. More often than not, efforts are made to treat the symptoms of heart failure and not the root cause itself. In any case, if any of the aforementioned heart failure symptoms in women are noticed, and refuse to die down over time, a doctor should be consulted immediately, who will then administer the appropriate treatment to deal with the condition.