By Dr. Andrew Yoon, Guest columnist
Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalizations in people older than 65.
Most seniors who experience heart failure already have a prior history of chronic cardiovascular disease. This is why it’s important for seniors to understand what heart failure is and to know its signs and symptoms to catch the disease in the early stages.
The earlier heart failure is found, after all, the easier it is to treat.
As we age, our arteries become stiffer and less flexible, causing our blood pressure to increase. To compensate for this increase in blood pressure, the heart pumps harder and the walls of the heart thicken to help increase its blood output. Unfortunately, the heart can’t keep up this hard work forever — and it eventually dilates and weakens.
As the heart’s structure gradually changes, the symptoms of heart failure build up slowly and are not immediately obvious, leaving many patients unaware they are experiencing heart failure for months or years, until their heart is severely weak. For this reason, it is important for seniors to maintain regular checkups with their doctor to monitor their heart.
In other cases, symptoms of heart failure can occur suddenly, like after a large heart attack, which permanently damages the structure and function of the heart.
If you are experiencing symptoms of heart failure, talk with your doctor immediately. Symptoms of heart failure may include:
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Persistent shortness of breath, especially when exercising or lying down.
- A persistent cough that doesn’t go away.
- Swelling of the abdomen.
- Weight gain from fluid buildup.
The American Heart Association, in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology, has identified four stages of heart failure to help seniors know where they stand in the disease process:
- Stage A: This stage is for people who have risk factors for heart failure…
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