Multymeter.com-Healthy: Heart disease is one of the biggest killers in the world, so it is important to know all the symptoms from an early age.
There are several signs you can look out for that indicate your heart is having problems. To quote WebMD, heart problems are not always indicated by chest pain.
American Heart Association spokesman Vincent Bufalino, MD, says the more risk factors you have, the more alert you should be to anything that may be related to your heart.
There are 11 signs of heart problems summarised by WebMD and the British Heart Foundation, the following are signs of heart problems:
1.Chest discomfort.
The most common sign of heart disease. If you have blocked arteries or are having a heart attack, you may feel pain, tightness or pressure in your chest. This feeling usually lasts for more than a few minutes. This can happen when you are resting or when you are doing something physical.
Nausea, heartburn or indigestion. Some people experience these symptoms during a heart attack. They may even experience vomiting. Women experience this symptom more often than men when their heart is in trouble.
Pain radiating down the arm The classic symptom of a heart attack is pain radiating from the chest to the left side of the body. Charles Chambers, MD, director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Penn State’s Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute, said that several patients he had seen who experienced arm pain were apparently suffering from heart attacks.
Dizziness Dizziness is a condition that causes your vision to spin and your body to lose its balance. Many things can make you feel dizzy, such as not eating enough or being dehydrated and getting up too quickly. However, if you suddenly feel dizzy and experience chest discomfort or shortness of breath, these could be signs of heart problems. “This could mean your blood pressure is dropping because your heart can\’t pump blood as well as it should,” says Vincent Bufalino, MD, spokesperson for the American Heart Association.
Sore throat Sore throat or jaw pain is usually caused by muscle problems, a cold or sinus problems.
However, if you feel a pain in the middle of your chest that extends into your throat or jaw, it could be a sign of heart problems.
Tiring easily Tiring easily can be a symptom of a number of health problems, including heart problems. If you suddenly feel tired or short of breath after doing something that was not a problem before, see a doctor immediately.
Extreme fatigue or causeless weakness, sometimes thought to last for days, can be a symptom of heart disease, especially in women.
Snoring during sleep Snoring may be normal. However, it is not natural to snore so loudly that it sounds like you are out of breath or choking. This is when you stop breathing for a moment several times during the night while you are still asleep. This indicates additional stress on your heart.
Sweating accompanied by chest pain is a sign that you should see a doctor to check the health of your heart.
Coughing that won’t stop If you have a prolonged cough that produces white or pink mucus, it could be a sign of heart failure. This occurs when the heart is unable to meet the body’s needs, causing blood to back up into the lungs.
Swollen feet Swollen feet cannot be ignored, especially if the ankles become very large. It could be a sign of heart failure or other disease. It can also be caused by blood pressure medication. Although it is not certain that you have heart disease, you need to see a doctor to treat this condition.
Irregular heartbeat: A rapid heartbeat is usually not dangerous and is not a cause for much concern. Being aware of one’s own heartbeat is very common and nothing to worry about. However, if your heartbeat is very fast and erratic, you should consult a doctor.
If you experience any of these symptoms of heart problems, you should see a doctor to get the correct diagnosis and treatment. These signs of heart problems may appear more frequently when you are over 60 years old. In addition, you have risk factors for heart disease, such as being overweight, diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.***
