People with heart failure don't always experience obvious symptoms. In some cases, they may mistake common signs like fatigue and coughing for another condition, such as a respiratory illness. But you shouldn't ignore warning signs of heart disease that persist , because it could be your body's way of alerting you to see a doctor.

One of those surprising warning signs is an inability to rest comfortably. If you find yourself short of breath when you wake up, or if you have difficulty sleeping flat on your back, it could be indicative of left-sided heart failure. That breathless feeling that occurs when you lie down is called orthopnea, and could be indicative of fluid retention in the lungs. Dr. Andrew Freeman, M.D., a cardiologist at National Jewish Health, tells Everyday Health , "P

See Full Page