Not all heart problems have obvious warning signs. Some heart symptoms don’t even occur in your chest, and it’s not always easy to tell what’s going on.
If you’re overweight, have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, you’re more likely to have heart problems. So, be very careful with the heart “call for help” signs listed below by easyhealthylive.com.
1. Chest discomfort
It’s the most common sign of heart disease. If you have a blocked artery or are having a heart attack, you may feel pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest.
Discomfort will vary from person to person. Some people will feel like their chest is compressed. Others feel like their breasts are pinched, burning, or throbbing.
Chest pain usually lasts more than a few minutes. It can happen when you are resting or when you are doing something such as exercising.
If it’s a very brief pain or a spot that gets worse when you touch or press on it, it’s probably not a heart problem. However, you should still see your doctor for a checkup. If symptoms are more severe and do not go away after a few minutes, you should call 911.
Also, remember that you can have heart problems, even a heart attack, without having chest pain. That’s especially common among women.
2. Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or stomach pain
Some people have these symptoms during a heart attack, and many even vomit. These symptoms are more common in women than in men.
You can have abdominal pain for many reasons that are not related to a heart problem. But you need to be aware that it can also happen during a heart attack.
So if you’re at risk for heart problems, let your doctor find out what’s going on. Especially if you also have any of the other symptoms on this list.
Heartburn can also be a sign of a heart problem
3. The pain spreads to the arm
Another classic sign is pain that radiates down the left side of the body. Most of this pain will start in the chest and spread to the arms. Some patients primarily have arm pain that turns out to be a heart attack.
4. You feel dizzy or lightheaded
A lot of things can cause you to lose your balance or feel faint for a moment. Maybe you’re not eating well or getting up too quickly. However, if you suddenly feel unsteady and you also have chest tightness or trouble breathing, call your doctor right away.
It could be a sign that your blood pressure has dropped because your heart can’t work as it should.
5. Sore throat or jaw
A sore throat or jaw pain may not be heart related. It’s more likely a muscle problem, a cold, or a sinus problem.
But if you have pain or pressure in the center of your chest that radiates to your throat or jaw, it could be a sign of a heart attack. You should go to the hospital for a check-up and make sure that everything is okay.
A sign of heart disease can also be a pain in the center of the chest that radiates to the throat or jaw
6. You burn out easily
If you suddenly feel tired or fatigued after doing something you didn’t before, like climbing stairs or carrying things from the car, you should see your doctor.
Unexplained exhaustion or weakness, sometimes lasting for days, can be a symptom of heart disease, especially for women.
7. Snoring
You will find it normal to snore. But unusually loud snoring that sounds like gasping or choking could be a sign of sleep apnea. That’s when you stop breathing for brief moments several times at night while you’re sleeping. This puts extra strain on your heart.
Your doctor can check to see if you need a sleep study to see if you have this condition. If you do, you may need a CPAP (continuous positive pressure machine) machine to calm breathing during sleep.
8. Sweating
Unexplained cold sweats can signal a heart attack. If this happens along with any of the above symptoms, go to the hospital right away.
9. A lingering cough
In most cases, this is not a sign of heart disease. But if you have heart disease or know you’re at risk, pay special attention to the possibility.
If you have a persistent cough that produces white or pink mucus, it could be a sign of heart failure. This happens when the heart can’t meet the body’s needs, causing blood to leak back into the lungs.
For peace of mind, you can visit your doctor to check the cause of your persistent cough
10. Your legs, feet and ankles are swollen
This could be a sign that your heart is not pumping blood as efficiently as it should.
When the heart can’t pump fast enough, blood backs up in the veins and causes bloating. Heart failure can also make it harder for the kidneys to remove extra water and sodium from the body, which can lead to swelling.
11. Irregular heartbeat
It’s normal for your heart to beat faster when you’re nervous, excited, or occasionally skipping or adding beats.
But if you feel your heart beat faster by just a few seconds or if it happens frequently, consult your doctor.
In most cases, heart palpitations are a normal sign of too much caffeine or not enough sleep. But sometimes, it can signal an atrial fibrillation that needs treatment. So check with your doctor.
Not too obvious, abnormal cardiovascular signs are easy to be confused by health problems or daily activities. If you have a history of heart disease or have a loved one with heart problems, you should be extra careful.
Reference source
Never Ignore These 11 Heart Symptoms https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/features/never-ignore-symptoms#1 Accessed date: 08/10/2020
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.
