15 Heart Disease Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
15) Chest Pains
When you experience chest pains, it’s your body’s way of telling you that the muscles in your heart are not getting enough oxygen-rich blood. As a result, you will feel a tight pressure or a squeezing sensation right in your chest that feels like a heart attack. It’s usually caused by an obstruction in the arteries that leads to your heart.
14) Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms of heart disease. When the blood that comes back from the heart going to the lungs gets backed up in the blood vessels, you will experience trouble breathing. This can be more evident during night time while you’re lying on your back. Sometimes, you will have to sit up so that your upper body is elevated and you can breathe easier.
13) Lightheadedness
When there’s something wrong with the heart, you may also feel lightheaded. You may also even experience a sudden loss of consciousness because of the decreased amount of oxygen going to the brain. It’s a potential life threatening situation and you must seek medical attention as soon as possible.
12) Dizziness
Dizziness can be a symptom of many health conditions, but it’s also one of the most common for heart-related diseases. It can possibly be because of an abnormal heart function or rhythm, or because of a valve that has become narrow. In other cases, it can be the result of a rapid but momentary drop in blood pressure.
11) Irregular Heartbeats
When electrical impulses don’t function properly, it can affect the coordination of heartbeats and cause them to beat too rapidly, too slowly, or too irregularly. This condition is called heart arrhythmia and it usually feels like there’s something fluttering right inside your chest. It can be bothersome and sometimes even be life threatening.
10) Swelling of the Legs and Feet
Swelling on both legs and feet is an indication of fluid accumulation, which can be a symptom of heart failure. Fluid tends to build up when there is a reduced flow of blood from the heart, which causes the blood going back to the heart to get backed up and congested. The swelling usually worsens late in the day. If you notice any kind of swelling on your legs and ankles, see your doctor for assistance.
9) Fatigue
People who have heart disease will also feel tired and exhausted all the time. They will find it physically taxing to perform normal daily activities, like walking, going up the stairs, or handling groceries. The fatigue stems from the decreased amount of blood that gets to the tissues and the muscles. As a result, blood is diverted to the body’s more vital organs like the kidney, heart, and brain instead of the limbs.
8) Fainting
When there’s a problem with the heart, fainting is also a common symptom. It’s often related to an insufficient flow of blood to the brain. Fainting usually occurs when you’re suffering from really low blood pressure and the heart does not pump enough oxygen to the brain.
7) Rashes and Unusual Spots
Heart disease may also have physical symptoms, such as rashes and unusual spots on the body. These may look like rashes that are common with eczema, and can be further complicated by skin ulcers that take a while to heal. Be careful about taking allergy medicines to treat these rashes and consult a doctor first.
6) Dry and Persistent Cough
Nagging cough and shortness of breath are common symptoms of lung disease, but they can also be a common occurrence in people who have heart disease. The coughing gets worse when you’re lying down, so you often have to sleep on your side while propped up on pillows. The cough is usually very dry and also comes with other symptoms like fatigue and leg and feet swelling.
5) Cold Sweats
When you experience unexplained heavy sweating or cold sweats, this can be a potential sign of a heart attack. When you feel this symptom together with fatigue, dizziness, lightheadedness, and chest pains, seek immediate treatment. If the symptoms last for more than five minutes, proceed to the hospital for medical assi