5. Persistent Cough or Wheezing
A long-lasting cough is another symptom often linked with heart failure. This cough is usually dry, though some patients may produce mucus. It tends to worsen at night or when lying down, as lung congestion increases. In some cases, patients also experience wheezing, which may be mistaken for asthma or bronchitis.
The cough occurs because fluid leaks into the airways, irritating them. Unlike a cold or chest infection, this cough doesn’t go away with cough syrups or antibiotics. It persists for weeks or months, especially if heart failure is untreated.
Consider the example of Mrs. John, a 68-year-old homemaker. She had a stubborn cough for months and was treated with antibiotics several times. But nothing helped. She also started noticing swelling in her ankles. When she finally went for a cardiac evaluation, doctors found that her cough was due to heart failure, not infection. After starting diuretics and heart medications, her cough improved dramatically.
6. Cough with White or Pink Frothy Mucus
While a persistent cough in heart failure can sometimes be dry, in more advanced stages, the cough may produce white or pink frothy mucus. This is a very serious symptom. It happens because fluid leaks from the small blood vessels into the air sacs of the lungs. The pink color comes from tiny amounts of blood mixing with the fluid. This condition is often linked to pulmonary edema, which is a medical emergency.
Patients usually describe this cough as constant and distressing. It may worsen at night, and the frothy sputum makes it very different from a simple cold or chest infection. Along with the cough, patients often experience breathlessness, sweating, and anxiety.
Take the example of Mr. Robert, a 59-year-old bank employee. He had been ignoring his swelling legs and mild breathlessness, thinking it was due to stress. One night, he suddenly developed severe shortness of breath and started coughing up pink frothy sputum. His family rushed him to the emergency room, where doctors diagnosed acute heart failure with pulmonary edema. Quick treatment with oxygen and diuretics saved his life.
This symptom is a red alert. Any patient coughing up frothy, pink mucus must be taken to the hospital immediately. Families sometimes mistake it for a chest infection, but in heart failure, it signals fluid flooding the lungs. Early recognition and emergency care can prevent complications like respiratory failure or even death.