clinical features
Last reviewed 01/2018
Possible early symptoms:
- shortness of breath - principle symptom
- exercise dyspnoea
- tachypnoea
- cough
- orthopnoea
- paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea
Later symptoms include:
- a cough with foaming, bright red sputum
- cyanosis
- extreme dyspnoea
On examination:
- breathing may be laboured and wheezing or rapid and panting. There may be a fine rattling sound audible
- Cheyne stokes respiration may be present in severe cases
- jugular venous pressure is usually elevated
- basal crepitations on auscultation may be heard
- heart sounds - triple or gallop rhythm
- a pleural effusion may also be present - in patients with chronic heart failure