​​5 hidden signs of heart failure US cardiologist flags to watch for​ - The Times of India

What the report says

The Times of India’s ETimes wellness desk reported on guidance from Dr. Dmitry Yaranov, a U.S.-based advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist known online as @heart_transplant_doc, about less obvious warning signs of heart failure. The article, updated July 24, 2026, emphasized that heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped, but that it is not pumping strongly enough to meet the body’s needs, which can cause fluid buildup and reduced oxygen delivery.

According to the report, Dr. Yaranov highlighted five symptoms that may be easy to dismiss: rapid unexplained weight gain, a persistent cough, feeling full after only a small amount of food, unexplained brain fog, and waking at night gasping for air. The article said sudden weight increases may reflect fluid retention, while a cough that worsens when lying down can be linked to fluid in the lungs. Digestive fullness may occur when congestion affects abdominal organs, and mental cloudiness may be related to reduced blood flow and oxygen reaching the brain.

The report also described nighttime breathlessness, medically known as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, as a concerning symptom because lying flat can shift fluid toward the lungs. TOI cited the American Heart Association figure that about 6.7 million U.S. adults are living with heart failure, and also noted a global burden of more than 64 million people.

The article’s central message was that these signs do not prove heart failure, but should prompt medical evaluation, especially when they appear together or in people with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease or family history.