I am 48 years old and have had edema in both of my legs and feet but it is more prominent in the left. I also have shortness of breath at different times of the day and night and it doesnt matter if im at rest or outside walking in my yard. It comes anytime. Sometimes it feels like my heart is stopping intermittently. I donot smoke or drink .I have never used drugs. My father died at age 43 from congestive heart failure. He was a smoker as is my mother. I was raised around heavy second hand smoke and when i worked for 5 years as a home health aide my clients family all smoked heavily around me. Is chf a possibile explanation for my symptoms?