Recognizing the early warning signals of heart disease: a guide
Heart disease, a term encompassing several conditions affecting the heart, is the leading cause of death in the United States. It's crucial to be aware of the early signs and symptoms to ensure timely medical attention.
While chest pain, nausea, heartburn, and excessive sweating are commonly known symptoms, there are other, less obvious signs that one might experience.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath, especially when lying flat, can be a sign of heart disease. This may occur due to fluid buildup in the lungs from poor heart function, a condition known as orthopnea.
Persistent Cough
A persistent dry cough, particularly at night, may signal fluid accumulation in the lungs, a symptom known as cardiac cough.
Jaw Pain and Discomfort
Jaw pain or discomfort, often mistaken for dental issues, is more common in women and may worsen with exertion.
Back Pain
Back pain, especially between the shoulder blades or upper back, can be a subtle cardiac symptom.
Fatigue and Irregular Heartbeat
Fatigue and an irregular heartbeat (palpitations) are frequent signs of heart disease.
Dizziness or Lightheadedness
Dizziness or lightheadedness, possibly from poor blood flow or low blood pressure due to heart problems, can occur.
Swelling (Edema)
Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen is often linked to heart failure.
Pain Radiating to Other Parts of the Body
Pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, back, or upper abdomen can accompany or replace chest pain during a heart attack.
These symptoms may appear subtly or strongly and vary between individuals. Women more often experience symptoms like jaw pain, nausea, or fatigue rather than classic chest pain. If you notice these symptoms, particularly in combination, seeking medical evaluation is important.
Prevention and Risk Factors
Prevention of heart disease includes maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoiding smoking, taking medications as prescribed, particularly for health problems that increase the risk of heart disease. A sedentary lifestyle also contributes to the risk of heart disease. Certain medical conditions such as diabetes can increase the risk of heart disease.
It's essential to remember that early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for those with heart disease. If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms, don't hesitate to seek medical advice.
[1] Mayo Clinic. (2021). Heart Disease: Symptoms and Causes. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20371642
[2] American Heart Association. (2021). Heart Failure Symptoms. [online] Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/understanding-heart-failure/heart-failure-symptoms
[3] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Heart Attack Symptoms: Women vs. Men. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15132-heart-attack/heart-attack-symptoms-women-vs-men
[4] Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Heart Disease: Symptoms and Diagnosis. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15132-heart-disease/heart-disease-symptoms-and-diagnosis
[5] American Heart Association. (2021). Heart Disease: Symptoms. [online] Available at: https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-disease/symptoms-diagnosis-of-heart-disease/heart-disease-symptoms
- Shortness of breath, especially when lying flat, can be a sign of heart disease, a condition known as orthopnea, which may indicate poor heart function and fluid buildup in the lungs.
- A persistent dry cough, particularly at night, may signal fluid accumulation in the lungs, a symptom known as cardiac cough, which is associated with heart disease.
- Jaw pain or discomfort, often mistaken for dental issues, is more common in women and may worsen with exertion, possibly indicating heart disease.
- Back pain, especially between the shoulder blades or upper back, can be a subtle cardiac symptom, suggesting underlying heart problems.
- Fatigue and an irregular heartbeat (palpitations) are frequent signs of heart disease, which can negatively impact a person's health and wellness.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, possibly due to poor blood flow or low blood pressure caused by heart problems, can occur in individuals suffering from heart disease or certain medical conditions that increase the risk of heart disease.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen is often linked to heart failure, a potentially life-threatening disease of the cardiovascular system.
- Pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, back, or upper abdomen can accompany or replace chest pain during a heart attack, a serious medical condition requiring immediate medical attention.
- Prevention of heart disease includes maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoiding smoking, taking medications as prescribed to manage any underlying medical conditions, and avoiding a sedentary lifestyle to lower the risk.
- Early detection and treatment can significantly improve outcomes for those with heart disease, making it essential to seek medical advice if any symptoms are noticed, particularly in combination.
