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.

Current as of: December 6, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Rakesh K. Pai, MD - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology

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