Symptom 6. Lack of Appetite or Nausea: Digestive Disruptions
The sixth symptom of ADHF may come as a surprise as it involves the digestive system. Patients often report experiencing a lack of appetite or bouts of nausea. At a glance, this might seem unrelated to a heart condition, but the connection becomes clear when we explore the underlying mechanics.
The heart and the digestive system share an intricate connection. The heart supplies the necessary blood to the digestive organs to absorb nutrients and remove waste. In ADHF, however, the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently is hampered. As a result, the digestive organs may not receive the blood supply they need to function properly, leading to digestive disruptions.
Patients may start to experience a lack of appetite. The body, burdened by the heart’s inefficient pumping, diverts its resources from digestion to more pressing matters. Furthermore, fluid buildup caused by ADHF might exert pressure on the digestive organs, leading to feelings of fullness or bloating even after consuming a small amount of food.
Nausea is another symptom that might manifest. The blood congestion in the liver or intestines, both organs critical for digestion, can cause feelings of discomfort or nausea. This discomfort is the body’s way of communicating the internal turmoil caused by the failing heart. Recognizing this link can be key to early detection of ADHF. (5)
