During seasonal changes, many experience persistent coughs, often attributing them to a common cold or bronchitis. Dr. Duong Thi Thao, from the Cardiology Department at Tam Anh General Hospital, emphasizes that a cough is not solely linked to respiratory conditions; it can sometimes signal heart failure. Cold weather constricts blood vessels, increasing blood pressure and burdening the heart. As a result, cardiovascular symptoms, like acute heart failure or an acute exacerbation of chronic heart failure, may appear or intensify. Untreated heart failure can lead to respiratory failure, circulatory failure, or other severe complications.

Dr. Thao outlines how to distinguish between a cough from respiratory illness and one linked to heart failure. Coughs from bronchitis or lung disease are often frequent, accompanied by white, yellow, or green phlegm, fever, wheezing, or stridor. Shortness of breath in these cases is typically obstructive and occurs with exertion, especially in individuals with a history of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Conversely, a heart failure cough is usually dry or produces little phlegm. This cough often worsens when lying down, prompting patients to use elevated pillows for sleep, or it appears as nocturnal paroxysmal coughs that awaken them. Other signs suggesting heart failure include: leg swelling, rapid weight gain over several days from fluid retention, fatigue, and reduced exercise capacity.

For an accurate diagnosis, patients require a medical examination. If symptoms suggest heart failure, doctors order blood tests such as: BNP or NT-proBNP, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and an echocardiogram (ECHO) to assess heart function. A chest X-ray can reveal pulmonary edema or an enlarged heart.

Heart failure treatment focuses on reducing the heart's burden and managing fluid retention. Doctors may adjust or prescribe medications to improve heart function and blood pressure, as indicated. Patients are also advised to maintain a low-salt diet, get adequate rest, and monitor their weight daily.

A person with heart disease can also suffer from concurrent respiratory illnesses like bronchitis or a respiratory virus infection. When a cough persists, particularly with shortness of breath, leg swelling, or severe fatigue, patients should seek medical attention. Individuals experiencing severe chest pain radiating to the shoulder, neck, or left arm, severe shortness of breath, bluish discoloration, coughing blood, dizziness, or cold sweats indicate a heart attack or acute heart failure and require immediate emergency care.

Ly Nguyen