Physical Changes to Report for Heart Failure

Quick Facts

  • If you have heart failure, you need to pay close attention to changes in symptoms.
  • Report new or worsening symptoms to your health care team right away.
Video: Heart Failure Warning Signs and Symptoms

Talk with your health care professional about symptoms

Heart failure requires you and your caregivers to pay close attention to any changes in symptoms. If you notice something new or if a symptom suddenly gets worse, contact your health care professional right away.

Watch for:

  • Rapid weight gain — Ask your health care professional about the amount of weight gain you should report to them. It’s important to weigh yourself every day, in the morning before breakfast and after urinating. Weigh yourself with the same type of clothes on, without shoes, on the same scale and in the same location.
  • Shortness of breath while resting, not related to exercise or hard work
  • Increased swelling of the legs or ankles
  • Swelling of or pain in the stomach
  • Trouble sleeping (waking up short of breath, using more pillows, coughing at night) 
  • Frequent dry, hacking cough
  • Loss of appetite
  • Increased fatigue or feeling tired all the time and trouble focusing
  • General weakness or dizziness
  • Bluish color in your fingers and lips
  • Nausea and loss of appetite
  • Heart palpitations
  • Psychological changes, such as feelings of sadness or depression  

Self-Check Plan for HF Management PDF

View our Self-Check Plan for help with tracking your heart failure symptoms: English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

View Partnering in Your Treatment: Questions to ask your doctor (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)

Last Reviewed: Jun 17, 2025