Signs That You Might Have a Dodgy Heart
According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, in the US alone, around 610,000 people die of
heart-related problems each year. They are many signs that warn us about
heart trouble that we should all be more aware of. Here are 8 of them.
1. Pain That Spreads to the Arm
Many men experience pain in their left arm,
while women experience the same pain in either arm. Some women have
even said that they experienced an unusual elbow pain before having a
heart attack. This occurs because the pain from your heart travels to
your spinal cord where many nerves of your body are connected and your
brain gets confused and thinks that your arm is in pain, when it’s not
actually the case.
2. Coughing That Won’t Stop
Persistent coughing can be caused by a number of factors, one of which
is cardiovascular disease. Persistent coughing which produces a pinking
liquid that contains some blood is very common with heart failure.
Coughing can also be a symptom of a much more serious symptom, which is
dyspnea – a sudden shortage of breath.
3. Swollen Legs, Ankles, and Feet
When your heart is not working well, fluid
from your blood vessels leaks into surrounding tissues. This is more
noticeable in your legs and feet because of gravity. This is known as a
peripheral edema and many people who have it don’t actually have heart
disease. However, it’s still a common symptom among heart disease
patients, so if you notice swelling, visit the doctor.
4. Lack of Appetite and Feeling Nauseous
Many people who are suffering from heart disease have a lack of appetite
and/or nausea. This is caused by a build-up of fluid around the liver
and the intestines that interfere with proper digestion. These symptoms
are usually followed by abdominal pain and if you’re experiencing them
all together, you need to visit the doctor.
5. Extreme Levels of Anxiety
A number of studies have shown that people
who suffer from extreme anxiety from very early on in their lives are
prone to heart disease. Anxiety can be caused by either a very stressful
lifestyle or various disorders such as panic attacks and phobic
anxiety. Some of the effects of anxiety on your heart include increased
blood pressure, decreased heart rate, and tachycardia.
6. Losing Consciousness or Fainting
Feeling lightheaded and losing consciousness is very common among heart
patients. This occurs because the heart isn’t pumping blood well due to a
blocked artery or the narrowing of a valve. If you ever feel short of
breath and you faint for a short period of time, consult your doctor
immediately.
7. Skin Rashes or Unusual Spots
Two research projects have shown that
eczema and shingles are high-risk factors of heart disease. Those who
have had eczema were found to have a 48% chance of suffering from high
blood pressure and a 29% chance of having high cholesterol. Furthermore,
those who have had shingles were 59% more likely to have a heart attack
than people who have never had this condition.
8. Your Skin Becomes Paler or Takes on a Bluish Color
This is not a common symptom, but when it does appear, it could be due
to reduced blood flow and a decreased number of red blood cells. Shock
is the main reason for this symptom and the paleness can appear over
your entire body or a certain part, such as a limb. If you’re paler than
usual but are not in shock, visit the doctor as it could be anemia.