The American Heart Association (AHA) says one of the important but often overlooked aspects of heart failure is daytime sleepiness. Heart failure makes the heart pump blood less efficiently, which can cause many problems for the body, according to the US health website Healthline .
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 the organs function properly. When the heart is not pumping enough blood, the body prioritizes the functioning of vital organs such as the brain and heart. This diverts blood from less important organs, including the arms and legs. As a result, the body feels tired, weak, exhausted, and sleepy.
There are many different causes of daytime fatigue and sleepiness. However, if accompanied by some signs, the patient needs to see a doctor immediately because it is very likely due to heart failure.
Signs that accompany drowsiness
The first sign is difficulty breathing. Because when the heart does not pump blood well, it leads to a buildup of fluid in the lungs. This fluid can cause difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing. Sometimes this happens suddenly at night and affects 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 nauseated. 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 appropriate treatment, according to Healthline.
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