6. Lack of Appetite or Nausea: The Subtle Indicators of Heart Trouble
Chronic systolic heart failure can also manifest as a lack of appetite or nausea. These symptoms can be perplexing to many, as they’re usually associated with gastrointestinal conditions. However, in the setting of heart failure, they could be subtle indicators of the heart’s diminished capacity to meet the body’s needs.
A lack of appetite in chronic systolic heart failure patients is often due to the build-up of fluid in the liver and gut, resulting from the heart’s inability to pump efficiently. This fluid accumulation can lead to feelings of fullness, even without eating much, resulting in a decreased desire to eat.
Alongside the lack of appetite, individuals might experience nausea or even vomiting. This symptom arises as the digestive system struggles to function effectively due to reduced blood flow resulting from heart failure.
While these symptoms may seem innocuous or unrelated to heart function, when observed alongside the other symptoms discussed, like shortness of breath, fatigue, or rapid weight gain, they could be indicative of chronic systolic heart failure and should be promptly evaluated by a healthcare professional. (6)
