Sudden heart failure
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Sudden heart failure
Sudden heart failure causes rapid fluid buildup, or congestion, in the lungs and other parts of the body. It occurs when the heart does not pump as much blood as the body needs.
Symptoms develop suddenly and include:
- Severe shortness of breath.
- An irregular or rapid heartbeat.
- Coughing up foamy, pink mucus.
Sudden heart failure is an emergency medical situation and requires immediate care.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
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