Could a lingering upper respiratory congestion be the first sign of CHF? In the last two years I only have had a couple URI's and I can get rid of 95% of it easily on my own or with some antibiotic, but it seems like the last 5 or 10% congestion seems to want to hang on. Any mucus I am able to cough up is clear so it does not seem to be an infection. Just wondering. When the Dr. Says you need surgery it seems you have a lot more awareness about what is going on with your own body and you look back and think that it all makes sense now.