Congestive Heart Failure Stages and Symptoms

Our cardiac care team at Ascent Emergency Room treat a lot of congestive heart failure conditions every day. During those interactions, we get asked a lot of questions about the stages and symptoms of the condition. For that reason, we provide the following information for those who many be wondering whether or not they need to seek Houston emergency care for their cardiac concerns.

First Things First: Understanding the Four Stages of Congestive Heart Failure

Accepted as the standard across all cardiology care in Houston, there are four stages of congestive heart failure (CHF).

Stage 1: Also known as pre-CHF, symptoms include precursors to the condition such as a general weakness in the heart muscle.

Stage 2: Patients may experience some CHF symptoms (see below) but remain generally healthy overall.

Stage 3: Patients will start to exhibit increased signs of CHF regularly and the condition may begin to impair their ability to engage in their regular activities.

Stage 4: At this stage of CHF, patients will begin experiencing severe – and often debilitating – symptoms even when no physical activity is being performed.

It’s important to remember that regardless of what stage CHF you may have been diagnosed or treated, the cardiac care team at Ascent ER in Houston has the staff, technology, and equipment available to provide life-saving treatment.

The Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure and When to Seek an Emergency Room in Houston

There is not one set of symptoms for recognizing the condition of CHF. Across every stage of the condition, each patient will experience changes that are unique to their age, lifestyle, general health, and many other factors. Also, in some cases, some patients may not even notice their symptoms. However, general symptoms can include the following:

• Swelling in the legs and feet
• Bloating and chest pain
• Shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea

Treatment modalities for CHF will vary and depend on the diagnosis of your particular stage within the condition. But if you’re concerned that you may be experiencing ANY stage of CHF, you are urged to seek urgent care in Houston from a facility such as Ascent Emergency Medical Center.