What symptom is most commonly associated with congestive heart failure (CHF)?

Dyspnea on exertion is a key symptom of congestive heart failure (CHF) due to the heart's inability to pump blood effectively, leading to increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation. This pressure causes fluid to leak into the lungs, resulting in difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity or exertion. As the demand for oxygen increases with exercise, individuals with CHF often experience shortness of breath as their compromised cardiac function cannot meet physiological needs.

While chest pain, fatigue, and tachycardia can occur in CHF, they are not as definitive or prevalent as dyspnea on exertion. Fatigue can be associated with a variety of conditions and is more generalized, while tachycardia may be a compensatory mechanism in response to decreased cardiac output but does not specifically indicate the presence of heart failure. Similarly, chest pain could signal other cardiac issues but is not a primary symptom of CHF. Thus, dyspnea on exertion stands out as the most characteristic and commonly reported symptom among patients with congestive heart failure.