Heart disease in the number one cause of death in the United States. Heart failure affects nearly 5.8 million people in American. Adults over 40 years of age have a much higher risk of heart failure.
Caregivers of seniors with Alzheimer’s disease have taken on the responsibility of knowing when to call the physician and how to identify a medical emergency. One of the most common (and perhaps scariest) medical conditions requiring immediate medical care is heart failure.
What is Heart Failure?
What is heart failure and how can caregivers identify early signs and symptoms? Contrary to what most people may think, the term “heart failure” does not imply that the heart has completely stopped working. Heart failure is a serious condition, but it simply means the heart has stopped pumping the blood efficiently enough to meet all of the body’s oxygen and nutrient requirements. Subsequently, the heart attempts to overcome the shortage of blood supply by releasing a surge of hormones, speeding up the heart rate, and narrowing the blood vessels to keep the blood pressure stable. These physiologic changes help to bring the body’s blood requirements to a near normal level. But given time, these measures are not enough to keep up with the body’s demands, and the heart continues to weaken.
There are many indications of impending heart failure, there are some common signs that indicate your loved one should seek emergency medical care.
Common Signs of Heart Failure
1.Fatigue and mental confusion-caused by improper oxygen levels
2.Weight gain and swelling in the feet and ankles-caused by fluid buildup
3.Shortness of breath and coughing-caused by blood backing up into the lungs(left-sided heart failure)
4.Swelling in the legs-caused by blood backing up in the tissues (right-sided heart failure
Oftentimes the early symptoms of heart failure come and go, and are mistakenly interpreted as isolated symptoms. Early diagnosis makes a drastic difference in the prognosis of heart failure. If your loved one with AD has any of the signs and symptoms of heart failure, be sure to seek medical care right away.
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