What Is Congestive Heart Failure?
Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky
6. Breathlessness
When our body needs more oxygen, one of the first things our bodies do is to increase the rate at which we take in air. This should mean that more oxygen is absorbed into the system where it can then be taken to where it is needed. Some of the time, however, it is not the rate at which oxygen is being absorbed that’s the problem, but how it is distributed to the rest of the body.
As a result, congestive heart failure will sometimes leave the patient feeling as though they cannot catch their breath. It can happen even when the patient is at rest, and the symptom will get gradually worse as the condition develops.
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