What is considered an early sign of heart failure in elderly patients?

Weight gain is considered an early sign of heart failure in elderly patients as it often indicates fluid retention, which can occur when the heart is unable to pump effectively. In heart failure, especially in its early stages, patients may rapidly accumulate fluid due to increased venous pressure or changes in sodium and water balance. This weight gain may not always be pronounced but can be noticeable if there is a sudden increase over a short period, signaling that additional monitoring is required.

Other signs such as peripheral edema occur later as fluid retention worsens, while tachycardia may develop as the body attempts to compensate for reduced cardiac output, and nocturnal cough may be a more specific symptom associated with pulmonary congestion or left-sided heart failure. Thus, subtle yet significant changes like weight gain can serve as a critical early warning for clinicians to assess further for potential heart failure in this population.