Symptom 2. Persistent Cough: More Than a Simple Annoyance
When discussing chronic heart failure, a persistent cough is a symptom that deserves attention. A nagging cough, while irritating, often gets dismissed as a common ailment. But in the scenario of chronic heart failure, it could be a sign of something more serious.
A persistent cough or wheezing in chronic heart failure is typically a result of fluid build-up in the lungs. As the heart’s pumping efficiency decreases, the body tends to retain more fluid, a portion of which backs up into the lungs. This excess fluid in the lungs triggers a cough reflex, leading to persistent coughing or wheezing.
One might wonder, how does this cough present itself? It could range from a dry, hacking cough to producing mucus that may even be pink or frothy in severe cases. This variation in presentation often leads to the symptom being misattributed to other respiratory conditions.
A cough due to chronic heart failure also tends to have certain unique characteristics. It could worsen at night when the individual is lying down or might be triggered by physical activity. Even eating may sometimes aggravate it, causing discomfort while having meals.
Persistent coughing is not just an everyday inconvenience. In the context of chronic heart failure, it is a sign of fluid accumulation in the lungs due to the heart’s declining pumping efficiency. Understanding and recognizing this symptom can be a critical step in identifying and managing chronic heart failure. (2)
