Symptom 7: Night-time Woes – Nocturia
When systolic heart failure is the culprit, the impact isn’t confined to the waking hours. Night-time can bring its own set of challenges, nocturia being a prime example. Nocturia is characterized by the need to wake up frequently at night to urinate.
It might seem puzzling as to how systolic heart failure can lead to nocturia. The answer lies in body dynamics during sleep. In the supine position, the fluid that had accumulated in the legs during the day is reabsorbed into the bloodstream. This sudden increase in blood volume is perceived by the kidneys, which then increase their filtration rate, leading to a rise in urine production and consequently, nocturia.
Nocturia isn’t just a night-time annoyance; it’s an indirect sign of systolic heart failure. It’s a reminder that the condition doesn’t pause with sleep; instead, it reshapes the body’s dynamics, even during periods of rest. (7)
