How to Recognize Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms

At Colorado Springs Cardiology, we believe that knowledge is one of the most powerful tools in protecting your heart health. One of the conditions we treat most often is congestive heart failure, or CHF. While the name can sound intimidating, recognizing the early signs of heart failure can make a big difference in how the condition is managed—and in many cases, how long and how well you live. 

In this guide, we’ll walk through what congestive heart failure actually is, the symptoms to look for, and what to do if you think you or a loved one might be showing signs. Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with CHF or you’re just trying to stay informed, we hope this information empowers you to take the next right step for your heart health. 

What Is Blood Pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps. It’s measured in two numbers: 

  • Systolic pressure: The top number, representing the pressure when your heart beats. 
  • Diastolic pressure: The bottom number, representing the pressure when your heart rests between beats.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), normal blood pressure is considered to be below 120/80 mmHg. Anything consistently above that may be classified as elevated or high blood pressure.

What Is Congestive Heart Failure?

Congestive heart failure doesn’t mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. Instead, it means that your heart is struggling to pump blood effectively. When that happens, blood and fluid can back up into other areas of the body—like your lungs, abdomen, legs, and feet—causing a range of symptoms that often worsen over time. 

The heart’s inability to pump properly can happen for several reasons. Sometimes the heart muscle itself is weakened, often due to previous heart attacks or high blood pressure. In other cases, the heart may be stiff and unable to fill with enough blood between beats. Either way, the end result is the same: the heart isn’t meeting the body’s needs the way it should. 

For a deeper dive into what congestive heart failure is and how it develops, you can explore the Mayo Clinic’s overview of heart failure, which complements the services and treatments we offer here locally in Colorado Springs. 

Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition, but with proper care—including early diagnosis—it’s often manageable. That’s why knowing the symptoms is so important. 

Why Recognizing Symptoms Early Matters

Catching congestive heart failure early can make a major difference. People who notice symptoms early and get medical care often avoid emergency situations, hospital stays, or more invasive treatments later on. The sooner heart failure is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin—and that can help slow down the disease’s progression. 

At Colorado Springs Cardiology, we focus on prevention, early intervention, and advanced treatment options for heart failure. If you recognize the signs of heart failure in yourself or someone you love, don’t wait to get help. Early recognition saves lives. 

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure

The symptoms of heart failure can range from mild to severe, and they don’t always show up all at once. Some signs are easy to overlook at first, especially if you chalk them up to getting older, gaining weight, or just being out of shape. But these symptoms are often your heart’s way of letting you know it needs help. 

For a comprehensive overview of warning signs and symptoms of heart failure, we also recommend visiting the American Heart Association’s resource on heart failure symptoms. 

Shortness of Breath

One of the earliest and most common symptoms of CHF is shortness of breath. You might notice it first when you’re climbing stairs or walking to your mailbox—but over time, you may find yourself getting winded doing ordinary things like getting dressed or even resting in bed. 

For many people with heart failure, lying flat makes it harder to breathe. Some people even need to prop themselves up on extra pillows at night or may wake up suddenly, gasping for air. This is called orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and it’s a key warning sign that fluid is backing up into the lungs. 

Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, and Feet

Fluid buildup, known as edema, is another common sign of congestive heart failure. It often starts in the lower legs, ankles, and feet because gravity causes fluid to pool in those areas. Your shoes might feel tighter, or you may notice sock marks on your ankles that don’t go away quickly. 

In more advanced cases, swelling can also affect the abdomen, making you feel bloated or uncomfortable. 

Persistent Cough or Wheezing

When fluid builds up in the lungs, it can trigger a long-lasting cough or wheezing. The cough is often dry, but in more severe cases, people may cough up white or pink frothy mucus. If you’re noticing a cough that won’t go away—especially if you also feel short of breath—it’s time to get checked by a cardiologist. 

Fatigue and Weakness

When your heart isn’t pumping effectively, your body isn’t getting enough oxygen-rich blood to fuel your muscles and tissues. The result? You feel tired, weak, or worn out even if you haven’t been particularly active. 

Rapid or Irregular Heartbeat

Your heart may try to compensate for its weakened pumping ability by beating faster or irregularly. You might feel like your heart is fluttering or skipping beats, or you may notice a racing heartbeat. These irregular rhythms can be concerning and uncomfortable—and they’re another sign that your heart needs attention. 

Sudden Weight Gain

Unexplained weight gain can be one of the clearest signs of fluid retention due to heart failure. If you gain more than two or three pounds in a day or five pounds in a week without any other explanation, it’s time to call your healthcare provider. Keeping a daily weight log can help you spot these changes early. 

Loss of Appetite and Nausea

As fluid builds up around the stomach and intestines, many people with CHF lose their appetite or feel nauseated. You might feel full quickly or have a general sense of discomfort in your belly. 

Risk Factors to Know

Some people have a higher risk of developing congestive heart failure due to underlying health conditions, lifestyle habits, or family history. Knowing your risk factors can help you stay alert for early symptoms. 
  • High blood pressure (hypertension) 
  • Previous heart attack or coronary artery disease 
  • Heart valve disease 
  • Diabetes 
  • Obesity 
  • Smoking 
  • Sleep apnea 
  • Atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias 
  • Family history of heart failure 

If you have any of these risk factors, we recommend working closely with your healthcare provider and scheduling regular checkups with a heart specialist.
 

When to Get Medical Help

Some symptoms of CHF can be mild at first, but others may require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor if you notice: 
  • Increasing shortness of breath 
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat 
  • Sudden weight gain 
  • Swelling in your legs or belly 
  • Persistent cough

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you experience: 
  • Severe shortness of breath while resting 
  • Chest pain 
  • Fainting or extreme dizziness 
  • Pink, frothy mucus when coughing 
  • Confusion or trouble thinking clearly
     
Don’t hesitate to contact our team if you’re unsure about your symptoms. It’s always better to be safe when it comes to your heart. 

How Heart Failure Is Diagnosed

At Colorado Springs Cardiology, we use a combination of advanced diagnostic tools to identify and evaluate heart failure. After a detailed medical history and physical exam, we may recommend: 

  • Echocardiogram to visualize your heart’s structure and pumping ability 
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess your heart rhythm 
  • Chest X-ray to check for fluid buildup in the lungs 
  • Blood tests to measure markers like BNP (B-type natriuretic peptide) 
  • Stress tests to see how well your heart functions during activity 

Treatment Options for Congestive Heart Failure

Although CHF is a chronic condition, many people live long, active lives with the right treatment and support. Management usually involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes devices or procedures depending on the severity of the condition. 

Lifestyle Changes

  • Low-sodium diet to help prevent fluid buildup 
  • Daily weight monitoring to catch fluid retention early 
  • Gentle exercise like walking to build endurance 
  • Quitting smoking to protect your overall cardiovascular health 


For helpful tips on making heart-healthy lifestyle adjustments, you can visit the American Heart Association’s Heart Failure Tools & Resources. 

Medications

Treatment plans often include diuretics to remove excess fluid, ACE inhibitors to reduce strain on the heart, beta-blockers to improve heart function, and other specialized medications depending on individual needs. 

Advanced Treatments

For certain patients, we may recommend devices like pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs). Our Structural Heart Program also provides access to advanced treatments for patients with related heart valve issues or structural heart disease. 

Why Choose Colorado Springs Cardiology?

At Colorado Springs Cardiology, we’ve been caring for patients across southern Colorado for nearly 50 years. We provide personalized care for patients with heart failure and other cardiovascular conditions, always putting your goals and your life first. 

Recognizing the symptoms of congestive heart failure early could change your future. If you or someone you love is showing signs of CHF—or if you simply want to take proactive steps to protect your heart—schedule your appointment with Colorado Springs Cardiology today. 

Your heart deserves expert care, and you deserve to feel your best.