What can heart failure be mistaken for?

Heart failure (HF) symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling often overlap with lung issues (COPD, asthma), kidney disease, anemia, and even obesity or deconditioning, leading to misdiagnosis, with respiratory diseases like COPD being a very common confusion. Other culprits include thyroid problems, electrolyte imbalances, or even just anxiety or caffeine, as they can present with similar sensations.

Can you be misdiagnosed with heart failure?

Yes, heart failure (HF) is frequently misdiagnosed, with rates varying widely (16% to over 60%) depending on the setting, often mistaken for respiratory issues like COPD or asthma, kidney problems, or simply aging, due to shared symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling, especially with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). 

What can heart failure be confused with?

What Conditions Are Mistaken for Heart Failure?

• Lung Conditions.
• Kidney Disease.
• Lymphedema.
• Anemia.
• Cirrhosis.
• The Prevalence of Misdiagnosis in the United States.

How to know if it's heart failure or something else?

Heart failure symptoms may include: Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down. Fatigue and weakness. Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.

Can heart problems cause headaches and dizziness?

Yes, heart problems can absolutely cause headaches and dizziness, often because the heart isn't pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to the brain, leading to lightheadedness, confusion, or fainting, with conditions like arrhythmia, heart attack, or valve issues being common culprits. Experiencing these symptoms, especially with chest pain, shortness of breath, or jaw/arm pain, warrants immediate medical attention as it could signal a serious cardiac event.
 

Ways Memphis doctors say you can beat Congestive Heart Failure, which affects 6.2 million Americans

What are four signs your heart is in trouble?

Main symptoms

fatigue – you may feel tired most of the time and find exercise exhausting. swollen ankles and legs – this is caused by a build-up of fluid (oedema); it may be better in the morning and get worse later in the day. feeling lightheaded and fainting.

How do you tell if you have pots?

To tell if you have POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), watch for symptoms like a rapid heart rate (30+ bpm increase), dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, fatigue, and brain fog, especially when standing up from sitting or lying down, as it signals poor blood flow to the brain; a doctor confirms it with a tilt table test or a 10-minute standing test, looking for that significant heart rate jump without a major blood pressure drop.
 

Can anything mimic heart failure?

Heart failure (HF) symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling often overlap with lung issues (COPD, asthma), kidney disease, anemia, and even obesity or deconditioning, leading to misdiagnosis, with respiratory diseases like COPD being a very common confusion. Other culprits include thyroid problems, electrolyte imbalances, or even just anxiety or caffeine, as they can present with similar sensations. 

How do I rule out heart failure?

To rule out heart failure, doctors use a combination of history, physical exam, and tests like BNP blood tests (a normal result makes HF unlikely), echocardiograms (to check heart function/size), EKGs, chest X-rays, and sometimes stress tests, as no single test is definitive but a low BNP or normal echo strongly suggests it's not the cause of symptoms like breathlessness.
 

What does cardiac dizziness feel like?

Cardiac dizziness feels like sudden lightheadedness, wooziness, or a sense of impending fainting (presyncope), where the world might spin or your vision blurs, often happening because your heart isn't pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to your brain, and can signal issues like arrhythmias or a heart attack, especially with chest pain, sweating, or shortness of breath. 

What is the biggest symptom of heart failure?

The most common symptom of heart failure is shortness of breath (dyspnea), often during activity or when lying down, accompanied by fatigue and weakness, as the heart struggles to pump enough oxygenated blood. Other key signs include fluid buildup leading to swelling (edema) in legs, ankles, and feet, plus rapid weight gain and a persistent cough that might produce pinkish mucus.
 

Can COPD be mistaken for heart disease?

Even though chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the nation's leading causes of death, many people don't know much about it. What's more, they may mistakenly attribute COPD symptoms — such as trouble breathing, fatigue, and chest tightness during physical activity — to either heart disease or aging.

What causes confusion with heart failure?

Heart failure causes confusion primarily by reducing oxygen and blood flow to the brain, leading to impaired function, but also due to electrolyte imbalances (like sodium), inflammation, and hormonal changes that affect brain cells, creating a "heart-brain axis" connection where cardiac problems directly impact cognition. This can manifest as memory loss, disorientation, and difficulty thinking, often worsening with the severity of the heart failure. 

What is the best test to rule out heart failure?

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart. The ECG reflects what's happening in different areas of the heart and helps identify any problems with the rhythm or rate of your heart. The ECG is painless and takes around 5-10 minutes to perform.

What gets confused with heart failure?

The symptoms of chronic kidney disease closely resemble heart failure. The symptoms of chronic kidney disease are often missed because it is a slowly developing health issue. Symptoms may include: Swelling in the feet and ankles.

Do you put on weight with heart failure?

Yes, heart failure often causes sudden weight gain due to fluid retention (edema), a key warning sign that the condition is worsening, as the heart struggles to pump blood, leading to salt and water buildup in the body. A quick gain of a few pounds (e.g., 2-3 lbs overnight or 5 lbs in a week) signals this fluid buildup, often accompanied by swelling in legs/ankles and shortness of breath, requiring immediate medical attention. 

Can an EKG show congestive heart failure?

Yes, an EKG can show signs suggestive of congestive heart failure (CHF) by revealing electrical issues like abnormal rhythms or enlarged heart chambers, but it's not definitive on its own; doctors use EKGs alongside other tests, especially echocardiograms, for a complete diagnosis, as EKGs can also detect damage from past heart attacks or other problems. An EKG is a valuable part of the puzzle, indicating potential problems that warrant further investigation for heart failure. 

What are the red flags of heart failure?

Heart failure red flags signal a worsening condition and need urgent medical attention, including sudden shortness of breath, especially when lying down or after minimal exertion, passing out (fainting), new or persistent chest pain, rapid weight gain from fluid (2+ lbs/day or 5+ lbs/week), and severe fatigue or confusion, requiring an immediate call to 911 or ER visit. Less severe, "yellow zone" signs like mild swelling, increased breathlessness, and trouble sleeping flat warrant a same-day doctor call.
 

Do you pee a lot with congestive heart failure?

Yes, heart failure often causes increased urination, especially at night (nocturia), because fluid that builds up in your legs during the day moves back to your kidneys when you lie down, prompting more filtering and urine production; it can also signal worsening fluid retention or be a side effect of heart failure medications like diuretics. 

Can heart failure be wrongly diagnosed?

Yes, heart failure (HF) is frequently misdiagnosed, with rates varying widely (16% to over 60%) depending on the setting, often mistaken for respiratory issues like COPD or asthma, kidney problems, or simply aging, due to shared symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling, especially with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). 

What is a commonly prescribed drug for congestive heart failure?

Commonly prescribed drugs for congestive heart failure (CHF) include diuretics (like Furosemide/Lasix) to remove excess fluid, ACE inhibitors or ARBs (like Lisinopril, Losartan) to relax blood vessels, and beta-blockers (like Metoprolol, Carvedilol) to lower heart rate and workload, often used in combination to manage symptoms and improve heart function. Other key medications include ARNIs (like Entresto) and SGLT2 inhibitors, which have become newer standards of care. 

Can you just all of a sudden have heart failure?

Yes, heart failure can come on suddenly (acute heart failure) after a damaging event like a heart attack or infection, requiring emergency care, but it often develops slowly over time (chronic heart failure) from long-term conditions like high blood pressure or coronary artery disease, with symptoms like shortness of breath and swelling appearing gradually. 

How does a cardiologist check for POTS?

A cardiologist diagnoses POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) primarily using a tilt table test or active stand test, looking for a significant heart rate jump (≥30 bpm) upon standing without a major blood pressure drop, plus symptoms like dizziness or fatigue. They'll start with a physical exam, bloodwork to rule out other issues (like anemia/thyroid), ECG/echo to check heart health, and potentially other autonomic function tests, but the positional heart rate change is key. 

What exactly is dysautonomia?

Dysautonomia is a broad term for conditions where the autonomic nervous system (ANS) malfunctions, disrupting involuntary bodily functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, temperature, and breathing, which the body normally regulates automatically. It's not a single disease but an umbrella term for disorders where these "automatic" processes fail, leading to symptoms like dizziness, fainting, fatigue, and heart palpitations, and can stem from other conditions (secondary) or be a primary issue. 

What age do POTS usually start?

POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) most commonly develops in adolescents and young adults, often peaking around age 14, with many cases beginning after triggers like viral infections, puberty, trauma, surgery, or pregnancy, though it can also start in adulthood. While many patients are women between 15 and 50, onset can occur at any age, with symptoms sometimes starting as early as childhood.