Symptom 9: Difficulty Concentrating or Decreased Alertness
Cognitive symptoms like difficulty concentrating or decreased alertness might seem unrelated to diastolic heart failure, but they’re directly linked to the disease’s impact on blood circulation. As we’ve established, diastolic heart failure hampers the heart’s ability to pump an adequate amount of blood to the body’s tissues, including the brain.
When the brain doesn’t receive sufficient oxygenated blood, it can affect cognitive functions, leading to symptoms like confusion, difficulty concentrating, and decreased alertness. These symptoms might appear mild initially, but can progressively worsen as the heart condition advances.
Furthermore, these cognitive changes can be exacerbated by sleep disturbances commonly seen in heart failure, such as sleep apnea or nocturia. The resultant poor sleep quality can further impact cognitive function, leading to a vicious cycle that affects the individual’s quality of life.
What’s important to note is that these symptoms are not an inevitable consequence of aging or a mere side effect of medications. They may reflect the brain’s response to inadequate blood and oxygen supply due to heart failure. Recognizing and addressing these cognitive changes is crucial in managing diastolic heart failure, ensuring a comprehensive approach to patient care. (9)
