Q. What are the symptoms of congestive cardiac failure?

Congestive cardiac failure is a progressive form of cardiomyopathy. The most classical symptom is fluid imbalance due to inadequate cardiac output which results in cardiac/ pulmonary oedema which may latter involve other organs in the abdomen.

Since the haemodynamic changes may or may not develop at the same time, the clinical symptoms can vary a great deal from patient to patient. The most common symptoms seen are:

• Fatigue, faintness and weakness

• Swelling of feet and ankles

• Shortness of breath even after lying down, loss of appetite, indigestion, nausea and vomiting

• Congestion

• Inadequate cardiac output

• Altered fluid balance (oedema)

• Cardiac cachexia (severe malnutrition)

• Decreased urine production