When To Check Your Heart: Alarming Symptoms
Our expert, Suzanna Tadevosyan, Ph.D. student of the Department of Ophthalmic Oncology and Radiology, Helmholtz Moscow Research Institute of Eye Diseases.
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common and dangerous ailments of the 21st century, along with cancer, diabetes mellitus, and respiratory diseases. There are many factors that cause the development of pathological changes in the heart. Most of them boil down to an unhealthy lifestyle.
Our body gives us signals when issues so that we can identify them at an early stage and prevent complications.
A heart attack is indicated by chest pain, palpitations, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath.
Most people are aware of these symptoms. However, not many know that heart diseases can occur with other symptoms, just like for a number of equally serious conditions. Let’s look at a few of the less commonly known symptoms that may signal heart disease or heart attack. If you experience any of them, see your doctor immediately.
1. Although up to 80% of chest squeezing and pressing pains are neurological, the “golden” rule is to see your doctor whenever you experience chest pain of any sort.
2. Heart attacks can be felt during physical exercise and when resting. Pain in the shoulders, arms, back, upper abdomen, neck, or jaw can be a sign of a heart attack. Pay attention if you feel this pain or lose feeling completely, and seek medical help immediately.
3. Shortness of breath is a prominent heart attack symptom, especially if it is accompanied by edema. Peripheral edema appears because of the excessive accumulation of fluid in the extracellular body tissue. This most often occurs in the lower limbs. Swelling in the legs is usually more noticeable in the afternoon, as gravity increases the volume and pressure of blood in the veins of the lower extremities.
4. At rest, heart rate fluctuations within 60–90 beats per minute are considered optimal. More beats per minute is tachycardia, while under 50 beats is bradycardia. Heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure over 139/89 mm Hg are some of the symptoms you should look out for.
Any of these symptoms may be accompanied by weakness, dizziness, and nausea. However, people often don’t pay attention to them, believing that it is due to food poisoning or stress.
How to prevent the early development of the cardiovascular disease:
- Measure blood pressure (BP) daily and record the reading.
- Give up smoking and alcohol,
- Lead an active lifestyle.
- Walk at least 5–6 km a day at a moderate speed.
- Try not to get annoyed over silly or unimportant things.
- Sleep for at least 7–8 hours.
- Include vegetables and fruits in your diet.
- Undergo timely medical preventive examinations.
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