Adult Echocardiography Practice Exam

What is a classic symptom of heart failure?

1. Chest pain

2. Syncope

3. Shortness of breath

4. Palpitations

The correct answer is: Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is a classic symptom of heart failure due to the heart's inability to pump blood effectively. In heart failure, either the heart's pumping capacity decreases or the filling pressure increases, leading to fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary congestion) or insufficient perfusion of body tissues. As a result, patients often experience shortness of breath during activities or even at rest, particularly when lying flat, which is known as orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. This symptom arises from the increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation causing fluid to leak into the alveoli, making it hard for the patient to breathe properly. By contrast, chest pain might occur in various cardiovascular conditions but is not as specific to heart failure. Syncope can occur in heart failure due to arrhythmias or hypotension, but it is less commonly recognized as a primary symptom compared to shortness of breath. Palpitations may be experienced by heart failure patients as a result of the arrhythmias associated with the condition, but again, they do not reflect the cornerstone symptom of heart failure as clearly as shortness of breath does. Thus, shortness of breath remains the hallmark symptom that underscores the struggles of patients