What Are the Symptoms of Diastolic Heart Failure?

Diastolic heart failure refers to a condition in which the arteries become thick and cannot relax enough to adequately fill the lower heart chamber. The fluids then back up into the organs causing swelling.

No Symptoms

• It is often the case that diastolic heart failure causes no significant symptoms until the condition becomes bad enough to cause heart failure.

High Blood Pressure

• Those with diastolic heart failure may experience temporary periods of high blood pressure.

Dysrhythmia

• Dysrhythmia, or abnormal electrical activity in the heart, is very common in those with diastolic heart failure. The dysrhythmia often causes the heart rate to speed up a great deal.

Flash Pulmonary Edema

• Flash pulmonary edema, a build-up of fluid, is a very serious condition that can be life threatening. It entails a severe shortness of breath whose onset is very sudden.

Night Time

• Many who suffer from a diastolic heart condition may wake in the middle of the night on regular occasions short of breath.