Heart disease, often linked to an unhealthy lifestyle, affects both men and women.
Fortunately, there are many warning signs that can alert us when something is wrong with our hearts. Here are the 8 most common signs that could indicate heart disease, which you should pay close attention to. Let’s also look at some of the signs of heart failure.
1. Spreading pain in the arms
Many men experience pain in their left arm, and for women it can occur in both arms. Some women have also reported experiencing unusual elbow pain just before a heart attack. This happens because the pain from the heart sends signals to the spinal cord, where many nerves in the body are connected, and this confuses the brain into thinking that the real source of the pain is in the arm, when this is not the case at all.
2. Persistent cough
Coughing can have many causes, including cardiovascular disease. Persistent coughing, which can produce a secretion containing blood, is a common symptom of heart failure. However, coughing actually indicates a much more serious symptom, breathlessness.
3. Extreme anxiety
Several studies have shown that people who suffer from extreme anxiety early in life are more prone to heart disease. Anxiety can be triggered by a stressful lifestyle or by various disorders, such as panic disorder or phobic anxiety. The effects of anxiety on the heart include tachycardia, an increase in blood pressure and a decrease in heart rate.
4. Swollen foot, ankle, foot
Heart failure can cause fluid to build up in the body. This is most often felt in the feet and the toes, if only because of the effect of gravity. This is called peripheral oedema and is not only found in people with heart disease. Nevertheless, it is a common symptom of heart problems and should be kept under observation
5. Loss of appetite and nausea
Many patients with heart disease experience loss of appetite and/or nausea, even after a few bites of food. This is due to a build-up of fluid around the liver and in the intestines, which prevents proper digestion. These symptoms are usually followed by abdominal pain, so if you experience these, it is best to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
6. Skin rash or unusual spots
Two separate studies have concluded that eczema and shingles are high risk factors for heart disease. People who had eczema were 48% more likely to have high blood pressure and 29% more likely to have high cholesterol. And those with shingles were 59% more likely to have a heart attack than those without the condition.
7. Loss of consciousness or fainting
Dizziness and fainting are very common symptoms in people with heart disease. In this case, a blocked artery can block the flow of blood. If you feel short of breath, faint or lose consciousness for a few moments, seek medical attention immediately.
8. Pale, bluish skin
This is not one of the more common symptoms, but it may indicate inadequate blood flow, reduced red blood cell count and the heart not pumping blood properly. Shock is the main cause of this symptom, and the pallor can be all over the body or just on a particular part of the body, such as a limb. Shock occurs when there is a sudden and severe loss of blood flow and insufficient oxygen to vital organs. However, if you experience paleness, there is no need to panic immediately. It may also be caused by some other problem, such as anaemia.
