10 WARNING SIGNS OF HEART PROBLEMS

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one person dies every 34 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease.

And about 697,000 people in the United States died from heart disease in 2020—that’s 1 in every 5 deaths.

The problem with heart diseases is late detection. Heart diseases can be treated if detected early.

Here are 10 warning signs of heart problems that you should be aware of.

NUMBER 1. CHEST PAIN OR DISCOMFORT.

Heart problems can cause chest tightness, pressure, or squeezing. When you have a heart problem, you may experience discomfort, tightness, or pressure in your chest. The sensation typically lasts more than a few minutes. It could also happen while you’re sleeping or doing anything physical.

This could be caused by a blocked artery. Blocked arteries are caused by atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a heart problem that causes the buildup of fibrous and fatty material inside the arteries.

Atherosclerosis could cause angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

NUMBER 2. SHORTNESS OF BREATH.

Do you experience shortness of breath when speaking or working? This could be a sign of a heart problem. Shortness of breath is caused by blocked blood vessels. Arteries are blood vessels that transport oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. Clogged arteries are caused by the accumulation of a material known as plaque on the inner walls of the arteries. Arterial plaque can restrict blood flow or, in severe cases, completely stop it.

NUMBER 3. PAIN IN OTHER AREAS OF THE BODY.

Heart problems can cause pain and discomfort in the body. This can include pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or shoulder. A sharp pain in the upper chest after eating or late at night could also be a sign that your heart is not healthy.

NUMBER 4. FATIGUE AND WEAKNESS.

Fatique can be caused by many things. Fatigue is a feeling of constant tiredness or weakness and can be physical, mental, or a combination of both. Sometimes it simply means that you need more rest. However persistent your fatigue is, to the extent that you can’t do your normal daily activities, could be a sign of a heart problem.

NUMBER 5. LIGHTHEADEDNESS OR DIZZINESS.

Lightheadedness or dizziness could be a sign of low blood pressure or reduced blood flow to the brain and could indicate: arrhythmia; high or low blood pressure; congestive heart failure; valvular heart disease.

Feeling faint usually means there’s not enough blood flow to the brain. Though there are lots of things that can make you feel dizzy, it is also a sign of an unhealthy heart, which if not treated, could lead to heart attacks and other problems in the future.

NUMBER 6. EXCESSIVE SWEATING.

Heart problems can also cause excessive sweating, especially at night. While there are other problems that can cause excessive sweating, it is usually a warning sign of a heart attack. Several studies have found that patients suffering from one or more cardiovascular diseases frequently complain of excessive sweating, particularly at night.Therefore, it is best to seek medical attention if you notice this, especially if it occurs with other heart attack symptoms.

NUMBER 7. HEART PALPITATIONS.

Heart problems can make your heart beat too fast. This feeling is known as heart palpitation and can be caused by high or low blood pressure or congestive heart failure. Heart palpitations are a common sign of heart problems that people with heart disease complain of. It usually gets worse at night.

If you experience heart palpitations, you should seek medical attention immediately, as they may be signs of a serious medical condition.

NUMBER 8. NAUSEA AND VOMITING.

Nausea and vomiting may also be a sign that your heart is unhealthy. Some people have these symptoms during a heart attack, especially women.

Despite the fact that you may have an upset stomach for many reasons that have nothing to do with your heart, It could also be a signal that your heart needs immediate attention.

NUMBER 9.  PERSISTENT COUGH.

A persistent cough, especially at night, could be a sign that your heart is unhealthy. This could be due to coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a narrowing or blockage of your coronary arteries, usually due to plaque buildup. Your coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. But when plaque builds up in these arteries, they restrict the normal flow of blood to the heart. This can cause fluid to build up in your lungs, which can trigger coughing or wheezing.

NUMBER 10. SWELLING IN THE LEG.

Heart problems can also cause Swelling (edema) in your lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart doesn’t work as well, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs. This causes fluid to build up in your tissues and organs. We shall talk more about this in our next video, when we talk about the common skin signs of hereditary diseases. It is important to note that edema can be caused by other diseases, like kidney disease, and that it is only through a medical diagnosis that the true cause of your edema can be identified.