The American Heart Association (AHA) says one of the important but often overlooked aspects of heart failure is daytime sleepiness. Heart failure causes the heart to pump blood less efficiently, which can cause many problems for the body, according to the health website Healthline (USA).
Heart failure can cause daytime sleepiness and is accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, and loss of concentration.
The heart pumps oxygen-rich, nutrient-rich blood throughout the body, helping organs function properly. When the heart is not pumping enough blood, the body prioritizes the function of vital organs such as the brain and heart. This diverts blood away from less vital organs, including the arms and legs. As a result, the body feels tired, weak, exhausted, and sleepy.
There are many different causes of fatigue and daytime sleepiness. However, if accompanied by some signs, the patient needs to see a doctor immediately because it is very likely due to heart failure.
Symptoms associated with drowsiness
The first sign is shortness of breath. When the heart doesn’t pump blood well, fluid builds up in the lungs. This fluid can cause shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing. Sometimes this happens suddenly at night and can disrupt sleep.
In addition, people with heart failure may also experience edema, swelling in parts such as the feet, ankles, legs, fingers, and abdomen. This phenomenon occurs because the heart does not pump blood effectively, causing blood and fluid to accumulate in the veins. This amount of fluid will penetrate the tissues and cause edema.
Sleepiness due to heart failure is also accompanied by digestive problems, such as feeling full or nauseous. This is because there is not enough blood flowing to the intestines and stomach to absorb nutrients from food. The heart rate increases and the heart beats faster as the heart tries to pump blood to compensate for the reduced efficiency.
People with heart failure also experience other symptoms such as reduced blood flow to the brain, causing loss of concentration, confusion, poor memory and disorientation. If you suspect you have heart failure, you should see a doctor for an examination to get the appropriate treatment, according to Healthline.
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