What is a common symptom of heart failure?

Shortness of breath is a hallmark symptom of heart failure. This condition occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and other areas of the body. As a result, patients often experience difficulty breathing, particularly during physical activity or when lying flat, a phenomenon known as orthopnea. This symptom forces patients to adapt their lifestyle, often limiting their activities due to the constrained ability to breathe comfortably.

Other choices such as sudden weight loss, high energy levels, and increased appetite are not typically associated with heart failure. Patients with heart failure usually experience weight gain due to fluid retention rather than loss, may have decreased energy levels due to fatigue caused by the heart's inability to meet the body's demands, and often have a reduced appetite as the body diverts energy away from digestion when it is compromised by heart function. Understanding these distinctions can help in identifying and managing heart failure effectively.