What is a common sign of congestive heart failure?

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition where the heart's ability to pump blood is compromised, leading to a backup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body. A common sign of this condition is dependent edema, which refers to swelling that occurs in the lower extremities, such as the legs and ankles. This happens because as the heart struggles to pump effectively, blood can pool in the veins, causing fluid to leak out into surrounding tissues, particularly when a person is in a sitting or standing position.

Dependent edema is especially notable in CHF patients because they often have fluid retention due to the body's attempt to compensate for decreased heart function. Observing this phenomenon can be a significant indicator for EMTs and healthcare providers in diagnosing and managing patients with heart failure.

Other signs of heart failure can include respiratory distress, which may be accompanied by wheezing or rhonchi due to fluid accumulation in the lungs, but these are not as directly indicative of the failure itself as dependent edema. Hypotension may occur as a result of severe heart failure, but it is not a common or specific sign of the condition.