When something is irritating our lungs, or our body is trying to get rid of bacteria trapped in mucus, we understand the coughing will stop as soon as the irritant or infection is gone. Show
Advertising Policy Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy A persistent cough is another matter, though. The most common causes of a persistent cough are asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But even with these diseases, coughing is minimized when inflammation in your lungs is kept under control. That’s why if you’ve been diagnosed with asthma or bronchitis, and your cough doesn’t improve with treatment, you should be evaluated for heart failure. “I have met patients who were first diagnosed as having a respiratory issue,” says heart failure specialist Miriam Jacob, MD. “Over time, when their symptoms didn’t improve with appropriate treatment, heart failure was entertained as a diagnosis.” Dr. Jacob discusses what a heart cough is and how it’s treated. What is a heart cough?In heart failure, your heart muscle has dysfunction that might be due to weak contraction or stiffness. This can allow fluid to back up in yout lungs, creating a condition called pulmonary edema. Your body coughs persistently in an effort to eliminate the excess fluid. Advertising Policy Symptoms can include:
“I’ve had patients who come to me after months of being treated with antibiotics or steroids for a persistent cough,” says Dr. Jacob. “Understandably, their physicians treated common medical problems like an upper respiratory infection. When a patient also tells me about weight gain, swelling in the legs or belly and shortness of breath I am suspicious of heart failure. Even vague symptoms of fatigue, nausea or getting full quickly can be signs of heart failure.” How is a heart cough treated?If you’re experiencing symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor. After an exam, your doctor may want to run tests. These can include a blood test, chest X-ray, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram (EKG) stress test, heart catheterization or cardiac MRI. After determining the type, class and severity of your heart failure, your doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes, like:
There are many medications available to treat heart failure. Your doctor may recommend: Advertising Policy
“Once heart failure has been diagnosed and appropriate treatment started, the cough should improve or go away,” assures Dr. Jacob. “If it returns, your medications may need adjusting or your angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor changed to an angiotensin receptor blocker.” Is all coughing a sign of heart failure?No. There’s a host of reasons you may have a cough. Irritants or allergens like smoke, mold, dust and pollen can cause you to cough. Certain medical conditions like a cold, flu, pneumonia, acid reflux and sinusitis can also make you cough. But if you’re experiencing heart cough symptoms or have been diagnosed with asthma or bronchitis and your cough doesn’t improve with treatment, you should talk to your doctor about heart failure. “It’s important to check in with your doctor if your symptoms of cough aren’t improving after the treatment you’ve been recommended,” says Dr. Jacob. “You should be your own advocate. If you feel that you continue to have a cough that isn’t resolving you could ask to be referred to a pulmonologist or cardiologist to get another opinion.” Heart failure — sometimes known as congestive heart failure — occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. When this happens, blood often backs up and fluid can build up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath. Certain heart conditions, such as narrowed arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure, gradually leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump blood properly. Proper treatment can improve the signs and symptoms of heart failure and may help some people live longer. Lifestyle changes — such as losing weight, exercising, reducing salt (sodium) in your diet and managing stress — can improve your quality of life. However, heart failure can be life-threatening. People with heart failure may have severe symptoms, and some may need a heart transplant or a ventricular assist device (VAD). One way to prevent heart failure is to prevent and control conditions that can cause it, such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Symptoms Close Heart failureHeart failureHeart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn't pump blood as well as it should. Blood often backs up and causes fluid to build up in the lungs (congest) and in the legs. The fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath and swelling of the legs and feet. Poor blood flow may cause the skin to appear blue (cyanotic). Some types of heart failure can lead to an enlarged heart. Heart failure can be ongoing (chronic), or it may start suddenly (acute). Heart failure signs and symptoms may include:
When to see a doctorSee your doctor if you think you might be experiencing signs or symptoms of heart failure. Call 911 or emergency medical help if you have any of the following:
Although these signs and symptoms may be due to heart failure, there are many other possible causes, including other life-threatening heart and lung conditions. Don't try to diagnose yourself. Emergency room doctors will try to stabilize your condition and determine if your symptoms are due to heart failure or something else. If you have a diagnosis of heart failure and if any of the symptoms suddenly become worse or you develop a new sign or symptom, it may mean that existing heart failure is getting worse or not responding to treatment. This may also be the case if you gain 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) or more within a few days. Contact your doctor promptly. More Information
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. Sign up for free, and receive heart transplant and heart failure content, plus expertise on heart health. Email Arizona Florida Minnesota ErrorSelect a location ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data.To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribingYou will receive the first heart failure and transplantation email in your inbox shortly. When seeking answers, people often look to experts for clear and accurate information. By subscribing to heart failure content from Mayo Clinic, you have taken an important first step in gaining knowledge and using it for your overall health and well-being. If you don't receive our email within 5 minutes, check your SPAM folder, then contact us at [email protected]. What are the symptoms of the final stages of congestive heart failure?The symptoms of end-stage congestive heart failure include dyspnea, chronic cough or wheezing, edema, nausea or lack of appetite, a high heart rate, and confusion or impaired thinking. Learn about the hospice eligibility requirements for end-stage heart failure.
Can heart failure cause bloody sputum?LEFT SIDED HEART FAILURE
THE BLOOD AND AND FLUID BACK UP INTO YOUR LUNGS. YOU FEEL SHORT OF BREATH, TIRED, AND HAVE A COUGH (ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT). IN SOME CASES, PATIENTS MAY BEGIN TO COUGH UP A PINK, FROTHY SPUTUM.
What are the signs that congestive heart failure is getting worse?Signs of Worsening Heart Failure. Shortness of breath.. Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.. Weight gain of three or more pounds in one day.. Weight gain of five pounds in one week.. Unusual swelling in the legs, feet, hands, or abdomen.. A persistent cough or chest congestion (the cough may be dry or hacking). How long is the final stage of congestive heart failure?Patients are considered to be in the terminal end stage of heart disease when they have a life expectancy of six months or less. Only a doctor can make a clinical determination of congestive heart failure life expectancy.
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Congestive heart failure and coughing up blood
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