1. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath, also known in the medical field as dyspnea, occurs when blood backs up in the pulmonary veins—these are the vessels that carry blood towards and away from the heart. This happens because the heart can’t keep up with the blood flow, resulting in fluid leakage into the lungs.
Fluid in the lungs makes it more difficult to exchange fresh oxygen for carbon dioxide in used blood. This condition is commonly characterized by breathlessness during activity, but you can also experience it at rest. Some people even complain about shortness of breath while sleeping, which comes suddenly and wakes them up. This is usually a sign that the dyspnea has worsened.
The condition can also make you wake up tired or feel restless and anxious.
