What are the Symptoms of Heart Disease?
There are various types of heart diseases, and each one them has its distinct set of symptoms. However, some key symptoms are common in several kinds of heart diseases. If you should experience any of the below symptoms, it is advisable that you consult a doctor to evaluate your symptoms.
Heart disease symptoms you should not ignore
Pain in the chest
While many diseases can cause chest pain, the symptom is often synonymous with heart disease problems. The chest pain is, usually, described by squeezing, choking, pressure, numbness, pain, or any discomfort in the neck, chest, or upper abdomen area. The pain can last for less than a minute to days and sometimes even weeks. Any pain in the chest should never be ignored as an insignificant symptom, and should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
Lethargy and fatigue
Fatigue and lethargy can be described as an inability to carry out one's normal routine activities. People with heart disease may feel tired all the time, and have difficulty in performing daily activities such as carrying groceries, climbing stairs, or walking. You experience fatigue when less blood reaches the muscles and tissue, due to the reduced ability of the heart to pump the blood. If you experience that your energy levels are decreasing day by day, it can be an early sign of heart disease symptoms. It can also suggest other medical problems such as thyroid or anaemia.
Shortness of Breath
The shortness of breath in heart disease is often caused by the elevated pressure in the blood vessels around the lungs. When experiencing a heart disease, you may experience difficulty in breathing while lying down, feeling shortness of breath while sleeping at night, the necessity of elevating your head on pillows to breathe properly, or swelling of ankles or legs. If these symptoms are prolonged or persistent, it is likely to be related to some heart disease. If the symptoms become intense, even for a short duration, it warrants a medical intervention as soon as possible.
Palpitations
Palpitations is a period of rapid or irregular heartbeats and is an extremely common heart disease symptom. Usually, people experience a skip of a heartbeat when they complain of palpitations. Cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms) is the most common cause of palpitations. Palpitations can signal a severe cardiac disease, which is why you should get help from a medical professional as soon as possible.
Light-headedness or Dizziness
Many diseases can cause light-headedness or dizziness, including liver disease, kidney disease, prolonged bed rest, dehydration, blood disorders, vascular disease, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbances, anaemia, thyroid disease, or heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias. As many conditions can lead to these symptoms, it is advisable to get your symptoms diagnosed by a family doctor or a medical expert.
Loss of Consciousness (Syncope)
Loss of consciousness or fainting is a common symptom and often does not indicate a serious medical condition. However, in many cases it can be a sign of a serious ailment or a life-threatening condition. The types of syncope span across four categories: cardiac, metabolic, neurologic, and vasomotor. Unfortunately, a cardiac syncope can lead to death; hence, it is of utmost importance that you consult a doctor if you experience unconsciousness at any point of time.
It is imperative that you maintain the health of your heart. You can strengthen your heart by fortifying your body with heart supplements such as Bioconcepts Red Krill Oil or MelonMax Pure High Strength Watermelon Extract. However, consulting your doctor before consuming any medications is advisable.