Your Heart Talks Through Symptoms—Are You Listening?
- maryrburrell
- May 21
- 2 min read
Sometimes, the body whispers before it screams.
Heart failure isn’t just “your heart is not working.” It’s your lungs gasping. It’s your legs swelling. It’s feeling like you’re sinking in your own body.
Before I was diagnosed, I didn’t know the difference between left-sided and right-sided heart failure. I just knew I couldn’t breathe and my shoes didn’t fit by the end of the day.
If that’s where you are right now—confused, swollen, out of breath just walking to the bathroom—I see you. I was you.
So I’m breaking it down the way I wish someone had done for me. Because knowing the signs might be the very thing that helps you fight for the right care.
And if no one’s said it yet— You’re not making it up. You’re not overreacting. What you’re feeling is real, and it deserves attention.
Left-Sided Heart Failure (Most Common Form)
Cause: The left ventricle isn’t pumping blood out to the body effectively.
Result: Blood backs up into the lungs.
Symptoms:
Shortness of breath (especially with activity)
Trouble breathing when lying flat
Waking up gasping for air
Fatigue, weakness
Coughing/wheezing
Fluid in the lungs
Right-Sided Heart Failure
Cause: The right ventricle isn’t pumping blood effectively into the lungs.
Result: Blood backs up into the body.
Symptoms:
Swelling in feet, ankles, legs
Swelling in the abdomen
Sudden weight gain from fluid retention
Feeling full or bloated
Swelling in the neck veins
But Here’s the Twist...
The two sides of the heart don’t usually fail alone. When the left side starts struggling, it can back things up into the lungs—forcing the right side to work overtime just to keep up. And over time? That side wears out too.
This is called congestive heart failure (CHF).
Real Talk From a Fellow Heart Warrior:
If your feet are swelling and you’re out of breath just folding laundry… you might be dealing with both sides failing together. That’s super common in congestive heart failure (CHF).
⚖️ Track your weight daily. 📝 Monitor your symptoms. 💬 Advocate for answers.
📣 If this hit home for you, you’re not alone. I’ve got more tools and breakdowns I’ve created along the way—just say the word. We weren’t meant to figure this out in the dark.
Because the more we share, the more we all get seen.
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