Heart diseases might cause some specific symptoms but not every case comes with clear warning signs or dramatic symptoms. Some heart issues can develop without symptoms or with very subtle ones, to the point of being unnoticed.
Therefore, it's crucial to understand various symptoms related to heart problems. When recognizing these signs, it's advisable to get self-checked and consult with a doctor so that they can provide further examination.
Beware of warning signs of heart disease
According to several experts, there are some warning signs related to heart disease from which you may suffer, such as:
- Chest discomfort
Discomfort in the chest is one of the most common symptoms associated with a heart attack. This sensation is described as pressure, pain, and discomfort felt in the middle or left side of the chest. The pain may persist for several minutes or longer, and it can occur while resting or during activity.
- Nausea, stomach pain, and digestive problems
Symptoms such as nausea, digestive problems, or abdominal pain are indeed not always associated with heart disease. However, some people might experience these symptoms during a heart attack. This is why early detection of heart disease is crucial so that you can be more aware when experiencing unusual or suspicious symptoms.
- Pain radiating to the arm
Pain radiating to the arm, especially the left arm, is a classic symptom of a heart attack. This pain usually starts from the chest and then radiates to the left arm, shoulder, elbow, and even the fingers. The pain is felt as pressure, aching, tingling, or burning sensation.
- Dizziness and loss of balance
Dizziness and loss of balance are symptoms that can occur in various medical conditions. On the other hand, sudden chest pain coupled with dizziness and loss of balance might signal a heart attack or other serious cardiac issues.
- Pain in the jaw or throat
Numerous medical conditions unrelated to heart problems can result in pain in the throat or jaw. However, if the pain originates from the chest and radiates to the jaw, you should be alert to signs of a heart attack. This symptom is more commonly experienced by women during a heart attack.
- Extreme fatigue
Extreme fatigue of unknown causes that can last for days may be a symptom of heart disease, especially in women. Fatigue is a symptom that is frequently overlooked, but it can be brought on by decreased oxygen and blood flow to the body's muscles and tissues as a result of coronary artery blockage or other heart issues.
- Excessive sweating
Excessive sweating, especially when not exercising or engaging in physical activity, can be an early warning sign of heart problems. Damage or blockage in the heart arteries causes the heart to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This leads to increased pressure on the heart, triggering increased sweat production as a natural response of the body to maintain a stable body temperature.
- Swelling
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump blood effectively, resulting in fluid buildup in various parts of the body, such as the lungs, ankles, abdomen, and other body parts.
- Arrhythmia
Irregular heartbeats (heart arrhythmia) can indicate serious heart problems such as coronary heart disease, heart valve disease, ventricular fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, and atrial flutter.
It is very important for you to promptly get yourself checked and consult a doctor if you experience the above symptoms, especially if you experience more than one symptom or have a family history of heart disease. Early examination can help prevent more serious heart problems.
If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.
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- Sean Edbert Lim, MBBS
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Mayo Clinic (2022). Heart disease. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353118
Mayo Clinic (2022). Heart attack. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-attack/symptoms-causes/syc-20373106
Medline Plus (2022). Jaw pain and heart attacks. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/9486.htm
American Heart Association (2022). Heart Attack Symptoms in Women. Available from: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attack/heart-attack-symptoms-in-women
Brian Krans (2023). Warning Signs of a Heart Attack. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/warning-signs-heart-attack
NHS Inform (2023). Heart failure. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/heart-and-blood-vessels/conditions/heart-failure
Cleveland Clinic (2023). Arrhythmia. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16749-arrhythmia