Symptom 4: Persistent Cough or Wheezing – The Lung’s Cry for Help
CDHF can also make its presence known through a nagging cough or wheezing. This is more than just a common cold or seasonal allergy symptom; it’s a persistent issue that can prove to be quite distressing.
Under normal circumstances, our lungs are fluid-free, allowing for easy exchange of gases. However, with CDHF, as the blood backs up in the pulmonary veins, fluid leaks into the lungs. This fluid interferes with the normal functioning of the lungs, often causing a persistent cough or wheezing sound.
Breaking it down, a cough is essentially the body’s reflexive response to clear the airways. When fluid invades the lungs, the body responds by coughing in an attempt to expel the intruding fluid. Wheezing, on the other hand, is the whistling sound produced when airflow is constricted. In CDHF, the fluid build-up can cause such constriction, leading to wheezing.
It’s not just the constant coughing or the uncomfortable wheezing that makes this symptom challenging. It’s the feeling of not being able to draw a complete breath, the sleep disturbances due to nighttime coughing, and the impact on daily activities.(4)
