What symptom is classically associated with congestive heart failure?

What symptom is classically associated with congestive heart failure?

• A. Productive cough
• B. Orthopnea
• C. Polyuria
• D. Palpitations

Answer: (B)

Orthopnea is the sensation of shortness of breath that worsens when lying flat and improves when sitting up. In congestive heart failure, elevated pressures in the left heart cause fluid to back up into the lungs; lying down increases venous return and fluid buildup in the lungs, making breathing harder. Patients often sleep with extra pillows or sit upright to relieve the symptoms, which is why this sign is classically linked to heart failure. Other options are less specific: a productive cough can accompany pulmonary edema but isn’t as defining, while polyuria and palpitations are not characteristic features of CHF.

Orthopnea is the sensation of shortness of breath that worsens when lying flat and improves when sitting up. In congestive heart failure, elevated pressures in the left heart cause fluid to back up into the lungs; lying down increases venous return and fluid buildup in the lungs, making breathing harder. Patients often sleep with extra pillows or sit upright to relieve the symptoms, which is why this sign is classically linked to heart failure. Other options are less specific: a productive cough can accompany pulmonary edema but isn’t as defining, while polyuria and palpitations are not characteristic features of CHF.