24. Restlessness or Anxiety
Restlessness and anxiety are very common in people with heart failure. Patients often feel uneasy, worried, or unable to relax. This may happen because of constant breathlessness, disturbed sleep, or the fear of sudden worsening. Some patients also develop panic-like feelings, especially when waking up breathless at night.
Restlessness may show up as frequent tossing and turning in bed, pacing, or inability to sit still. Anxiety can make symptoms feel even worse, creating a cycle of stress and breathlessness.
For example, Mrs. Matusha, a 61-year-old homemaker, described feeling restless every evening. She would sit on the edge of her bed, worried she would stop breathing in her sleep. Her family noticed she became more irritable and avoided visitors. Counseling, breathing exercises, and reassurance — along with medical treatment — helped reduce her anxiety.
Restlessness should not be dismissed as “nervousness.” In heart failure, it is often a sign of the body struggling for oxygen. Supporting patients with calm reassurance, relaxation techniques, and sometimes counseling can help. When anxiety is managed, patients often feel more in control of their illness.