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Knowing signs of heart failure can save your life

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) — As Heart Month comes to a close, 10 On Your Side is taking a look at the signs and symptoms of heart failure. It's the number one cause of death in the U.S. and experts want to make sure you know what to look for. One-in-four people will develop heart failure in their lifetime. In many cases, it's easily prevented by a healthy diet and exercise, but knowing the symptoms can also save your life. Heart failure, and those who have it, has changed over the years.'It's not anymore a disease of the elderly, but we're seeing in younger patient population too,' said Cardiologist Dr. Amin Yehya with Sentara those 65 and older, it's usually caused by blockages in the arteries and is seen with other risk factors like diabetes, obesity or high blood pressure. But in the younger generation, it can be a genetic mutation that is hereditary, or heart failure that comes after a severe illness.'We're seeing a lot of patients in their 20s and 30s and even the teens as well,' Yehya signs for heart failure, individually, may not be serious, but put together, they spell an immediate consultation with your doctor. The first sign is shortness of breath.'They have to stop to catch their breath, they can't go up one flight of stairs [and] at night, they have to sleep propped up in bed — they can't lay flat,' Yehya of breath is the big red flag that can mean more serious underlying symptoms.'With shortness of breath, it means the person is building up fluid, usually in their lungs and they can't breathe,' Yehya said. 'And also, looking at the swelling, the patient needs to look at their legs — are they having swelling in their legs? Is their belly tight? When they eat, do they get full real quick? These are all signs the patient is building up with fluid.'The sooner you see your doctor, the more power you have.'There is nothing more important than empowering and educating your patient,' Yehya said. 'And there is nothing stronger than a patient who is educated about their own disease.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.