Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Every year, 17.7 million people die from cardiovascular diseases. In some cases, they occur suddenly with no warning signs, while in other cases people simply ignore seemingly minor symptoms. We will talk about them today.
1. Peripheral edema
If your heart is not pumping well, the fluid from the blood vessels begins to leak into surrounding tissues, which causes swelling of the lower limbs. This is a fairly common symptom of chronic heart insufficiency.
2. Skin rashes
In two independent studies, it was confirmed that eczema and shingles are high-risk factors for heart disease. People suffering from eczema tend to also have high blood pressure, and shingles are associated with an increased risk of heart attack.
3. Pain in the heart that radiates to the arm
This is the most common symptom of ischemic heart disease. In this case, the pain in the heart usually radiates to the lower jaw, left shoulder, and neck. You should immediately seek medical attention if you suffer from pain in at least one of these areas.
4. Shortness of breath
Feeling that you lack air during an intensive training in a gym or walking uphill is physiologically normal. However, troubles breathing at rest or while performing some minor tasks may indicate heart insufficiency. Such patients may develop pulmonary edema – a medical emergency in which lungs fill with fluid from the blood vessels.
5. Pale or bluish skin
This symptom may indicate that the heart doesn’t pump blood the way it should, not providing peripheral areas of the body with sufficient amount of blood. Another common cause of paleness is anemia (a condition in which the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin in the blood decreases).
6. Loss of appetite, nausea
7. You Feel Dizzy or Lightheaded
A lot of things can make you lose your balance or feel faint for a moment. Maybe you didn’t have enough to eat or drink, or you stood up too fast.
But if you suddenly feel unsteady and you also have chest discomfort or shortness of breath, call a doctor right away.
8. Throat or Jaw Pain
By itself, throat or jaw pain probably isn’t heart related. More likely, it’s caused by a muscular issue, a cold, or a sinus problem.
But if you have pain or pressure in the center of your chest that spreads up into your throat or jaw, it could be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 and seek medical attention to make sure everything is all right.
9. You Get Exhausted Easily
If you suddenly feel fatigued or winded after doing something you had no problem doing in the past — like climbing the stairs or carrying groceries from the car — make an appointment with your doctor right away.
Extreme exhaustion or unexplained weakness, sometimes for days at a time, can be a symptom of heart disease, especially for women.
10. Snoring
It’s normal to snore a little while you snooze. But unusually loud snoring that sounds like a gasping or choking can be a sign of sleep apnea. That’s when you stop breathing for brief moments several times at night while you are still sleeping. This puts extra stress on your heart.
Your doctor can check whether you need a sleep study to see if you have this condition. If you do, you may need a CPAP machine to smooth out your breathing while you sleep.
Most often, these symptoms are associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, but nausea and vomiting are often early signs of a heart attack. There is also an abdominal form of a heart attack, which can be mistaken for acute appendicitis or perforated gastric ulcer.
Take care of your health and consult a doctor if you discover the symptoms described above.