8. Sudden Weight Gain – The Stealthy Symptom of Acute Systolic Heart Failure
Sudden weight gain can be a stealthy symptom of acute systolic heart failure. If you find yourself gaining weight rapidly without a corresponding increase in food intake or decrease in physical activity, it’s worth investigating further, especially if you’re experiencing other symptoms of heart failure.
In acute systolic heart failure, your heart struggles to pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid accumulation in your body. This excess fluid can manifest as sudden weight gain.
The weight gain might seem inexplicable, especially if your diet and exercise routines have remained constant. However, it’s essentially your body retaining more water due to the heart’s decreased pumping ability.
It’s recommended to keep track of your weight and note any rapid increases. A gain of two or more pounds in a single day or five or more pounds in a week could be a sign of worsening heart failure and should prompt you to seek medical attention. This weight gain isn’t just about aesthetics or clothing size; it could be a vital clue to your heart health.
This symptom is particularly stealthy because many people don’t associate weight gain with heart problems. It’s easy to attribute sudden weight gain to overeating or lack of exercise. However, if the weight gain is rapid and inexplicable, it’s essential to rule out heart failure as a cause. (8)
