Heart disease is the number one cause of disease caused death in the United States today. The latest statistics show that of the 2.4 million people who die every year in the U.S. 36 percent of them died of some form of heart or cardiovascular disease. For many people heart disease sneaks up on them unawares and causes an unforeseen heart attack. Simply recognizing the symptoms of heart disease before a major medical emergency and seeking help can help reduce the risk of a life threatening event.
So what are the heart disease symptoms you should be on the lookout for and what should you do if you start to experience them? The short answer to the second part of that question is to see your doctor immediately. The sooner any form of this deadly condition is diagnosed and treated the better your chances of living a long and healthy life.
Here are the symptoms everyone should be conscious of. And remember, each one taken by itself should indicate a potential problem but if there are combinations of these symptoms the greater the risk.
1. Angina - This refers to chest pain, one of the major warning signs of a heart attack. Any chest pain needs to be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. The problem with angina is that many people with heart disease may not experience it until they are actually having a heart attack and by then it may be too late.
2. Numbness and Tingling - If you experience these symptoms particularly of the face or arms and it is localized to one particular side it could be a warning sign of blocked or damaged arteries. If slurred speech, headache, and loss of coordination or balance is also experienced you should seek immediate medical attention.
3. Shortness of Breath - Problems with the respiratory system can be a symptom of any number of problems, one of which is heart disease. If it is a continual problem then you need to seek medical attention.
4. Dizziness or Fainting - Having dizzy or fainting spells when you normally haven't experienced them in the past are both signs of possible cardiovascular disease. This is true if you start to get these symptoms after exercise or other physical activities. These types of symptoms are common in heart valve disease and manifest as positional vertigo which are symptoms occurring upon standing from a lying or sitting position. These include dizziness, brief loss of eye sight, and ringing in the ears.
5. Fatigue and Weakness - It is normal to feel somewhat tired at the end of a long day at work. If this worsens in intensity over time it could be an indication of some sort of heart problem.
Heart disease is a very serious condition that if not diagnosed and treated in an aggressive manner can quickly have deadly consequences. Fully understanding and recognizing the symptoms of heart disease is the first step to seeking medical attention to help stop this silent killer in its tracks.
With heart disease on the rise in North America, it is vital to know the warning signs of heart disease before its too late - it could save your life. There are several warning signs of heart disease, and they include the following. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or comes and goes. The feeling can come in the form of pressure, squeezing or a feeling of fullness of the chest. Heart attacks are often also accompanied by pain in other parts of the body, such as the neck, back, jaw, arms or stomach. Heart attacks can also cause shortness of breath, either while you are experiencing chest discomfort, or before the chest pain occurs. Other symptoms can include nausea, sweating and lightheadedness. It is important to note that in women, these signs are often less severe. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should see your doctor immediately. Many times there is nothing to worry about, but you should always check with a doctor when chest discomfort is involved just in case.
If you are experiencing these symptoms while at home, you should immediately call 911, or have someone call for you, and lay down in a comfortable position. If you are already on heart medication, take your normal dose, and take an aspirin because aspirin will thin your blood and allow oxygen to get to your heart. Do not take other pain medications such as Advil or ibuprofen. Then just try to relax while help arrives.
While heart disease can be hereditary, there are many things you can do to try to lower your risk of developing the disease. Even if all of your other family members have had heart disease, it doesn't mean you have to get it too. Things you can do to help lower your risk are eating a better diet including lots of vegetables, whole grains, fruit and low fat protein. You should also try to cut out fast foods and junk foods as these significantly increase ones risk of developing heart disease. Even if you are going to order a salad at a fast food restaurant make sure the salad dressing you get is low in fat and trans fats. You should also make an effort to exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 mins each time. You should also limit your alcohol consumption and quit smoking. All of these things are going to help lower your chances of getting heart disease.
Both Andrew Bicknell & Barney Garcia are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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