Symptoms in elderly patients with heart failure before death
Apr 24, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Before death due to heart failure in elderly patients, breathing may present as gasping, sighing respiration, shallow and slow breaths, accompanied by conjunctival edema, dilated pupils, or loss of pupillary light reflex. The circulatory system mainly shows inadequate blood volume, cold and clammy skin, decreased blood pressure or unmeasurable blood pressure, weak or impalpable pulse. There is no limb reflex, for example, the patient does not respond when called.
The symptoms of elderly patients with heart failure at the end stage can be divided into left-sided heart failure symptoms, right-sided heart failure symptoms, and other symptoms. The details are as follows:
1. Symptoms of Left-Sided Heart Failure
In elderly patients with left-sided heart failure, severe pulmonary congestion occurs in the late stages. Before death, symptoms include chest tightness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, inability to lie flat, and even coughing up pink frothy sputum.
2. Symptoms of Right-Sided Heart Failure
In elderly patients with right-sided heart failure, systemic circulation congestion develops in the late stages. Before death, symptoms include significant edema due to liver cirrhosis and ascites, jaundice, severe lower limb swelling, gastrointestinal congestion, and even jugular venous distension.
3. Other Symptoms
Prior to death, elderly patients with heart failure often experience a significant drop in blood pressure, increased heart rate, malignant arrhythmias, impaired consciousness, and ultimately respiratory arrest followed by cardiac arrest.
Patients with heart failure must strictly follow medical instructions regarding medication and should not reduce dosages or abruptly stop or switch medications on their own. Elderly individuals must maintain body warmth, avoid respiratory infections and excessive fatigue, as these factors can easily worsen heart failure symptoms. In daily life, they should maintain a calm state of mind and avoid emotional fluctuations. Their diet should consist mainly of light, easily digestible foods, avoiding spicy and irritating foods.
