Heart Failure Symptoms That Black Americans Should Know About

Heart failure doesn’t necessarily mean that your heart stops beating. But it does mean that your heart isn’t pumping oxygen-rich blood as well as it should be. This reduced blood flow keeps your organs from getting the nutrients they need to function properly. 

What are heart failure risk factors for Black Americans?

Some studies have suggested that Black Americans may be more likely to experience heart failure at higher rates than other racial groups in the U.S. Some risk factors for heart failure are generally more prevalent in Black Americans, including:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Diabetes

• Larger body size

• Coronary artery disease

Many of these conditions may also stem from socioeconomic factors that disproportionately affect Black Americans. For example, healthy foods may be too expensive or hard to access for some families, leading to weight gain and other conditions that increase the risk of heart failure.

What are the early symptoms of heart failure?

Studies also suggest that Black Americans may be more likely than white Americans to be hospitalized and die from heart failure. It’s very important for Black Americans to be aware of heart failure symptoms, so that they can recognize and get treatment for them as soon as possible. Early treatment and avoiding hospitalization may slow the progression and improve treatment outcomes.

Some early symptoms of heart failure include:

• Fluid retention

• Weight gain

• Leg swelling

As your heart failure progresses, you may experience symptoms that the condition is worsening, including shortness of breath and discomfort when you’re lying down flat.

What are symptoms of advanced heart failure?

As heart failure progresses further, it may make everyday activities like walking or climbing stairs feel much more difficult. If you have the following symptoms, your heart failure may be severe, and you should seek medical attention: 

• Shortness of breath while at rest

• Chest pain or tightness

• Fast heartbeat with any activity, or even at rest

Because heart failure is a progressive illness, it’s important to get an early diagnosis and treatment. Untreated heart failure could lead to complications, hospitalizations, and even death. 

“If you're noticing any of these early signs of weight gain, shortness of breath with activity, that's the time where you really, really need to call your doctor,” says Pilar Stevens-Haynes, MD, a cardiologist at South Nassau Community Hospital in Oceanside, New York.

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Written by:

Marisa Taylor Karas

Marisa Taylor Karas is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn who has covered health, gender, and technology for 15 years. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera America, among other publications, and also served as managing editor of the Mellon Foundation in New York City.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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