Dr. Gosia Wamil of the Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, explained that a lesser-known sign of heart failure is abdominal pain. Ms Wamil said: “Some warning signs of heart failure are intuitive, such as ankle swelling, shortness of breath, chest pain, a heartbeat that feels fast or irregular and fatigue during exercise. “There are other symptoms that people may not associate with heart failure. “These include persistent cough, abdominal swelling, rapid weight gain, nausea and lack of appetite.” READ MORE: ‘Holy Grail’ blood test for early detection of diseases on the horizon When heart failure occurs, there is a pooling of blood around the body – including the abdomen. This is known as congestion and can cause swelling in the abdomen. Fluid accumulation often starts in the chest. If you experience any of the symptoms described by Dr. Wamil, it is important to seek care, he explained. Heart disease can lead to heart failure because the buildup of fatty substances in the coronary artery can increase blood pressure, which weakens the heart. DON’T MISS: Doctors may also provide breathing tests, where you blow into a tube to check for lung problems associated with shortness of breath. In some cases, they may also provide an X-ray to see if there is fluid in your lungs.
