If you notice this on your stomach, have your heart check

This could be a sign of something serious and potentially fatal.


Currently, about 6.2 million Americans live withcongestive heart failure, a serious illness that alters the ability of your heart to pump blood as it should. The disease control and prevention centers (CDC) indicate that heart failure is mentioned on almost14% of American death certificatesAs part of the main causes of death in the United States, however, many people are not aware of the signs of heart failure, distinct from other related conditions, such as heart attack or coronary artery disease. Now the experts sound at the alarm of a particular symptom connected to the condition. Read it to find out what symptom of heart failure that you can notice in your stomach and how your doctor can help determine the real underlying cause.

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Abdominal swelling can be a symptom of congestive heart failure.

Man bloating holding his swollen stomach in discomfort
Shutterstock

Congestive heart failure (CHF) occurs when the heart muscle becomes low or steep, and can no longer pump blood as well as necessary. If this happens, the liquid can accumulate in the lungs, causing shortness of breath and a range of other symptoms. "Congestive heart failure is a disease that reduces the ability of the heart to pump blood around the body", today explains the news of health. "This insufficiency causes blood construction in the chest. The fluid can then remove in the abdomen,causing swelling of the stomach. "

Heart failure can be behind your abdominal swelling If you also notice any of the following additional symptoms: Cough or persistent breathing, shortness of breath, increased heart rate or irregular, fatigue, nausea, lack of appetite, new confusion , swelling in the legs or ankles or altered thinking.

RELATED:Do not do this before the bed can hurt your heart, experts.

Your doctor can test you for heart failure.

Echocardiogram heart test
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In case of heart failure, the pumping rooms of the heart may not complete correctly between cardiac beats. "Ventricles can stretch to the point that the heartcan not pump enough blood through the body. Over time, the heart can no longer follow the typical requirements put on to pump blood towards the rest of the body, "says the Mayo Clinic.

If your doctor suspects that happens to you, they can test your pumping heart by measuring the "ejection fraction" - the amount of blood pumped with each beat. Healthy hearts will have an ejection fraction of 50% or more ", which means more than half of the blood that fills the ventricle is pumped with each beat," says the Mayo clinic.

Most often, your doctor will determine the ejection fraction using an echocardiogram, a non-invasive imaging test.Alternative methods Include cardiac catheterization, MRI analyzes, CT analyzes and nuclear medicine analyzes.

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There could be several other causes of abdominal swelling.

Doctor checking patient's stomach
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Although it is important to exclude heart failure from the list of possible underlying causes, there may be another explanation of your distended or inflated stomach. Experts say that there are five common culprits and your doctor can help you reduce the possibilities by identifying the most likely. "Health care providersDiagnose a distended abdomen With regard to the "five" F ", explains the clinic of Cleveland. These are "flat (gas), fetal (pregnancy), fecal materials (trapped caca), fluid (of several causes) or fat," writes their experts.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

Abdominal swelling caused by accumulation of fluid-as in the case of congestive heart failure - isknown as ascites. In addition to heart failure, this could also be caused by a range ofOther serious conditions Including cancer, cirrhosis of liver, infection, dialysis, weak protein and pulmonary conditions, explains Johns Hopkins medicine.

However, most cases of swelling of the abdomen are considered as gastrointestinal nature. Irritable intestinal syndrome, lactose intolerance, some forms of gastritis, intestinal blockage, bile calculations, and more might all be to blame for this particular symptom, according to medical news today.

Here's when call the doctor.

woman having telehealth visit with male doctor on ipad
Shutterstock / Rido

Persistent abdominal swelling can signal a serious condition and it is important to call your doctor if you do not know what is behind that. If your symptoms worsen or are accompanied by serious abdominal pain, fever, vomiting or bleeding, do not hesitate to have it checked.

Mayo's clinic said that 911 called it if you think they have signs of heart failure, including "serious weakness or severe weakness, a fast or irregular heart rate associated with breath breathing, chest pain or fainting, severe breathing and bleaching shortness. Pink foaming mucus. "

They add that while heart failure can cause these symptoms ", many other possible causes, including other heart and pulmonary conditions threatening life. Do not try to diagnose yourself." Tell your doctor about your concerns and determine whether a complete medical assessment is needed.

RELATED: The 3 signs that your chest pain is not a heart attack, say experts


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