Which symptom is commonly reported in heart failure?

Which symptom is commonly reported in heart failure?

• A. Nausea
• B. Orthopnea
• C. Palpitations
• D. Seizures

Answer: (B)

Orthopnea is a classic symptom of heart failure because it reflects pulmonary congestion that worsens when lying flat. In left-sided heart failure, increased venous return to the heart after you lie down raises left atrial and pulmonary venous pressures, driving pulmonary edema and shortness of breath. This makes breathing feel much easier when upright or with pillows propping the head up, so many patients notice they must sleep propped up or sit up to breathe comfortably. Nausea, palpitations, and seizures aren’t typical hallmarks of heart failure, whereas the positional breathlessness of orthopnea directly points to fluid-backed-up lungs from heart failure.

Orthopnea is a classic symptom of heart failure because it reflects pulmonary congestion that worsens when lying flat. In left-sided heart failure, increased venous return to the heart after you lie down raises left atrial and pulmonary venous pressures, driving pulmonary edema and shortness of breath. This makes breathing feel much easier when upright or with pillows propping the head up, so many patients notice they must sleep propped up or sit up to breathe comfortably. Nausea, palpitations, and seizures aren’t typical hallmarks of heart failure, whereas the positional breathlessness of orthopnea directly points to fluid-backed-up lungs from heart failure.