10 Early Warning Signs Of Heart Disease You Should Lookout For

10 early warning signs of heart disease : Fatigue Being too weary, according to Harvard Health, can be an indication of cardiac disease. "A general feeling of tiredness or fatigue develops when the heart can't pump enough oxygen-rich blood to meet the body's energy needs," the doctors add. Pain in the chest Some form of pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest is one of the most prevalent indicators of heart failure. Charles Chambers, MD, director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute, told WebMD, "Everyone has a different phrase for that feeling." "Some say it seems like an elephant is sitting there," says one. Others describe the pain as pinching or burning," Chambers explains. If the symptom is severe or does not go away within a few minutes, call 911 immediately since you may be having a heart attack. Nausea and a lack of appetite Feeling sick to your stomach or queasy may sound like a stomach issue, but these are both early indicators of heart failure. Why do they occur? The cause, according to the AHA, is simple: "The digestive tract receives less blood, producing digesting issues." Heartbeat irregularity A rapid or irregular heartbeat should never be ignored. When you're excited or frightened, your heart naturally beats quicker, but if the feeling persists or appears unexpectedly, it could be a sign of something more serious. "In most situations," an American Heart Association (AHA) spokeswoman told WebMD, "it's caused by something that's easy to correct, like too much caffeine or not enough sleep." "However, it could occasionally indicate a condition known as atrial fibrillation, which requires treatment." Breathing problems Shortness of breath is common after vigorous physical exertion and is totally natural. However, if the symptom occurs more frequently and easily than before, it may be cause for concern. If it occurs when you are passive, such as sitting or lying down, you should contact your doctor right away. "Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down," according to the Mayo Clinic, is one of the most prevalent indicators of both chronic and acute heart failure. Leg, ankle, or foot swelling Edema is defined by the Cleveland Clinic as "swelling produced by fluid trapped in your body's tissues." If you detect inexplicable swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet, you may have edema. Congestive heart failure, but not always, is a common cause of edema because your heart lacks the pumping strength to force used blood back up from your lower extremities. Gaining weight quickly or suddenly Edema can occur throughout the body, causing sudden, unexplained weight gain, in addition to fluid buildup in your extremities. According to the Mayo Clinic, being overweight not only puts additional stress on your heart, but it can also be a common cause of cardiac disorders like stroke and heart attack. Ability to exercise or be active is limited. Are you finding it difficult to do physical chores that used to be simple or not going as hard at the gym as you used to, and you're not sure why? If this is the case, you should probably see a doctor because it could be an indication of a significant health concern. "People with heart failure are frequently unable to engage in routine activities because they get easily exhausted and short of breath," Harvard Health specialists explain. Confusion or inability to concentrate "Changes in the amounts of certain compounds in the blood, such as salt, might induce confusion," the AHA says. This can manifest as memory loss or disorientation, both of which can be detected by a caregiver or relative before the patient does. In any case, these are symptoms of heart failure or other serious medical disorders that should be discussed with a doctor as soon as possible. Congestion Fluid buildup in the lungs, in addition to fluid buildup in the legs, ankles, or feet, is another early indicator of heart failure, according to Harvard Health researchers. Patients may develop obvious and prolonged coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing as a result of this. Any of these symptoms should be discussed with your physician as soon as possible. --------------------------------- Terms of Use This channel is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health problems. Reliance on any information provided on this channel is solely at your own risk. #health #healthy #heart #heartdisease #heartdiseaseprevention