When people think of heart problems, they often imagine chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue. But there’s another, less obvious symptom that could point to heart trouble—coughing. While a cough is usually linked to a cold, allergies, or a lung issue, it can sometimes signal a deeper problem, like congestive heart failure (CHF).
Congestive heart failure is a long-term condition that affects how well the heart pumps blood. In CHF, the heart becomes weaker and can’t keep up with the body’s needs. This can cause fluid to build up in the body, especially in the lungs, legs, and feet. The “congestive” part of the name refers to this fluid buildup.
So how does this lead to coughing? When the heart doesn’t pump well, blood can back up in the lungs, causing a condition known as pulmonary congestion. This makes it harder to breathe and can trigger a persistent cough.
People with CHF may notice their cough gets worse when they lie down. Sometimes, the cough brings up a white or pink-tinged mucus, which can happen if there’s fluid mixed with a small amount of blood in the lungs.
Researchers have studied this connection closely. The European Heart Journal reported that coughing and wheezing are fairly common in people with heart failure and shouldn’t be ignored.
Another study in the Journal of Cardiac Failurefound that when CHF is treated properly, symptoms like coughing and wheezing often improve—showing how closely heart health is tied to these issues.
Along with a cough, CHF can cause other symptoms too. These may include feeling short of breath during activity or when lying down, swelling in the legs or feet, tiredness, a fast or irregular heartbeat, and a reduced ability to exercise. Some people may also experience wheezing or a general sense of weakness.
The good news is that CHF can be managed. Treatment usually includes medications that help the heart work better and remove extra fluid from the body. These can include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics (water pills).
Lifestyle changes are also important—things like eating less salt, avoiding smoking, staying active, managing stress, and keeping other health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure under control.
If you or someone you know has a cough that won’t go away—especially if it happens with shortness of breath, swelling, or fatigue—it’s important to see a doctor. Catching CHF early can lead to better outcomes and a better quality of life.
In short, a cough isn’t always just a simple symptom. When combined with other signs, it might be your body’s way of telling you that your heart needs help. Paying attention to these warning signs and getting medical advice early could make all the difference.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies about a big cause of heart failure, and common blood test could advance heart failure treatment.
For more information about heart health, please see recent studies about a new way to repair human heart, and results showing drinking coffee may help reduce heart failure risk.
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