Symptoms of heart failure in the elderly?

summary

* the main clinical manifestations were dyspnea, fatigue and fluid retention (pulmonary congestion and peripheral edema).

Symptoms of heart failure in the elderly?

The early signs of decreased left ventricular function were fatigue, decreased exercise endurance, increased heart rate by 15-20 beats / min, and then exertional dyspnea, nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea, high pillow sleep, etc; Examination showed left ventricular enlargement, galloping rhythm in early or middle diastole, wet rales, dry rales and wheezes at the bottom of both lungs, indicating left ventricular dysfunction.

Acute onset, the disease can rapidly develop to a critical state. Sudden severe dyspnea, sitting breathing, wheezing, restlessness and fear, the respiratory rate can reach 30-50 times / min; Frequent cough and a large amount of pink foam like sputum. The heart rate is fast, and the galloping horse rhythm is often heard at the apex of the heart; The lungs were filled with moist rales and wheezes.

Most patients with heart failure seek medical treatment due to dyspnea or fatigue due to decreased exercise tolerance. These symptoms can occur at rest or during exercise. The same patient may have many kinds of diseases, so it is difficult to explain the exact reason for the decline of exercise tolerance.

matters needing attention

Patients may have abdominal or leg edema as the first or only symptom and seek medical treatment. Exercise tolerance impairment occurs gradually and may not attract the attention of patients, unless carefully asking about changes in activities of daily living.