As a healthcare professional with expertise in cardiology, I can provide you with information on the signs of left-sided heart failure. Left-sided heart failure, also known as left ventricular failure, occurs when the left ventricle of the heart is unable to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. Here are some common signs and symptoms:
1. Fatigue: Feeling tired or short of breath with even mild activity.
2. Shortness of Breath (dyspnea): Difficulty breathing, especially when lying down or during physical exertion.
3. Orthopnea: Waking up suddenly at night gasping for air, often needing to sit up to breathe comfortably.
4. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea (PND): Episodes of severe shortness of breath that occur suddenly at night.
5. Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat (palpitations): Feeling a rapid, pounding, or fluttering in the chest.
6. Swelling (edema): Fluid retention leading to swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet.
7.
Persistent Cough: A cough that does not go away, which may produce frothy or blood-tinged mucus.
8.
Weakness: Feeling weak or having a general lack of energy.
9.
Confusion: In some cases, especially in the elderly, confusion can be a sign of heart failure.
It's important to note that these symptoms can be caused by various other conditions as well, so a proper medical evaluation is necessary to diagnose heart failure.
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