10. Confusion or Impaired Thinking – The Overlooked Symptom of Acute Systolic Heart Failure
Finally, confusion or impaired thinking, often overlooked symptoms, can indicate acute systolic heart failure. If you or a loved one is experiencing episodes of disorientation, memory loss, or unexplained mood changes, it could be a sign that the heart isn’t pumping enough blood to meet the brain’s needs.
In acute systolic heart failure, the heart’s inefficiency leads to reduced blood flow to all organs, including the brain. The brain relies heavily on a constant, rich supply of blood to function properly. When it doesn’t receive enough oxygenated blood, cognitive function may be impacted, leading to symptoms such as confusion, difficulty in concentrating, and even memory loss.
This symptom may be particularly noticeable in older individuals, and it’s often mistaken for age-related cognitive decline or conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. However, when accompanied by other signs of heart failure, such as shortness of breath or fatigue, it should raise concerns about potential heart failure.
Recognizing these cognitive changes as potential heart failure symptoms is crucial. While it’s true that our cognitive function naturally declines as we age, significant or sudden changes could be a sign of an underlying health issue. In this case, confusion or impaired thinking might be more than just age-related cognitive decline; it could be your brain signaling a lack of adequate blood flow due to acute systolic heart failure. (10)
