When to Call a Doctor

Callor other emergency services immediately if you have:

• Chest pain that has not gone away within 5 minutes after you have taken one nitroglycerin dose and/or rested, especially if the pain is pressing or crushing and occurs with shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea.
• Symptoms of a stroke. These include:
  • Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
  • Sudden vision changes.
  • Sudden trouble speaking.
  • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
  • Sudden problems with walking or balance.
  • A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.

• Symptoms of sudden heart failure, such as:
  • Severe shortness of breath (trouble getting a breath even when resting).
  • Suddenly getting an irregular heartbeat that lasts for a while, or getting a very fast heartbeat along with dizziness, nausea, or fainting.
  • Foamy, pink mucus with a cough and shortness of breath.

Call your doctor soon if you have symptoms of heart failure, which include:

• Being very tired or having weakness that prevents you from doing your usual activities.
• Trouble breathing during routine activities or exercise that did not cause problems before.
• Shortness of breath when you lie down.
• Waking up at night with shortness of breath or feeling as though you are suffocating.
• A dry, hacking cough, especially when you lie down.
• Sudden weight gain, such as 3 lb (1.4 kg) or more in 2 to 3 days.
• Increased fluid buildup in your body (most often in the legs).

Also call your doctor soon if you have been diagnosed with heart failure and your symptoms get worse. In general, it is a good idea to call your doctor anytime you have a sudden change in symptoms.

Call your doctor right away if you have a pacemaker or ICD and think you have an infection near the device. Signs of an infection include:

• Changes in the skin around your pacemaker or ICD, such as:
  • Swelling.
  • Warmth.
  • Redness.
  • Pain.
• Unexplained fever.

Watchful waiting

You can try home treatment for symptoms such as mild fluid buildup (edema) and feeling very tired. But sudden shortness of breath, even if it is mild, should always be checked by your doctor.

• If symptoms go away and don't return, you may not need more treatment.
• See your doctor if you often need home treatment to keep even minor symptoms under control.

Who to see

The following health professionals can treat you for heart failure:

• Family medicine doctor
• Internist
• Nurse practitioner (NP)
• Physician assistant (PA)
• Cardiologist
• Cardiovascular surgeon
• Cardiac electrophysiologist