What are the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure?
Shortness of breath
The hallmark and most common symptom of left heart failure is shortness of breath and may occur.
• while at rest
• With activity or exertion
• While lying flat (orthopnea)
• May awaken the person from sleep(paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea)
• Shortness of breath may be due to fluid (water, mainly) accumulation in the lungs or the inability of the heart to be efficient enough to pump blood to the organs of the body when called upon in times of exertion or stress.