2. Shortness of Breath at Rest
As heart failure progresses, people may start to feel short of breath even while sitting quietly or lying down. This is more troubling because the body is supposed to be at ease during rest. The lungs become congested with fluid, leaving less space for oxygen.
Patients often say it feels like a weight pressing on their chest or as though they are “breathing through a straw.” Unlike asthma, where breathlessness comes and goes, in heart failure, this symptom is persistent and gradually worsens.
For example, Mr. Michael, a 70-year-old grandmother, once loved knitting while sitting on her sofa. Over time, she found herself gasping for air even while sitting still. At night, she had to wake up and sit upright to breathe better. When she visited the hospital, doctors diagnosed heart failure and started treatment. After a few weeks, her resting breathlessness eased, though she had to continue medications regularly.
Shortness of breath at rest is often a warning sign that the heart is struggling significantly. It usually means fluid congestion in the lungs is advanced. If untreated, it can lead to acute worsening, where emergency care is required.