6 subtle but serious signs that you have a heart problem

One person in the U.S. will die of cardiovascular disease every 36 seconds, making it one of the leading causes of death for Americans. In addition, approximately 655,000 Americans die from heart complications each year, which is broken down into one in four deaths.

While these statistics are alarming, it is more alarming that many people are completely unaware of the small insidious signs that could indicate cardiovascular problems.

“Many people consider chest pain to be a warning sign of cardiovascular disease,” said Mariko Harper, a Seattle doctor. specializing in cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology and echocardiography. But, he added, “Although more than half of people have chest discomfort when they have a heart attack, up to a third of patients (especially women) do not have any chest symptoms. They may have more atypical or subtle symptoms.”

Ignoring these signs means ignoring all of your well-being.

If the body were considered a machine, the heart would be the battery that powers it, said Aeshita Dwivedi, a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. “Essentially, without a heart that works properly, the rest of the body cannot perform optimally,” he said.

Here are some subtle but serious signs of a cardiovascular problem and some tips on how to improve heart health:

Christine Bishara, founder of the integrative medical practice From Within Medical in New York, which says swelling in the lower legs, especially the ankles and feet, can mean heart disease. This number is also known as edema.

“If your heart loses its ability to pump blood to the rest of the body (either through weakened heart muscles or damage to heart tissue due to a silent heart attack), blood flow can slow down and recede. in the legs and cause swelling “. she said.

As mentioned, some people will not experience chest pain when treating heart problems. While this can happen to anyone, Bishara said this is particularly true for people with diabetes. Instead, they may have trouble breathing.

“Because diabetes affects and stuffs nervous sensations [someone who is diabetic] with severe heart disease you can never experience symptoms of chest pain, ”he said. “That’s why shortness of breath should never be ignored, especially if it’s a fresh start.”

A feeling of tiredness that seems unable to tremble may be another subtle sign of heart problems, according to Bishara. Especially if it has apparently come out of nowhere.

“If the symptoms of fatigue are an acute onset or without any identifiable underlying cause, consult your doctor,” he said.

Bishara said these pains “should not be ignored as they can also be signs of a heart block or an impending heart attack. Back symptoms are common in women and can sometimes be ‘only symptom’. This is particularly true if the pain is random (e.g., you didn’t exert yourself during exercise).

The timing of these palpitations matters as much as the symptom itself. Be aware that exercise, caffeine, and anxiety can cause an accelerated boost. Still, say you’re sitting or in another relaxed state and your heart is starting to pick up, this could be a sign that something is wrong. Dizziness and dizziness can also be symptoms.

Cardiovascular problems can manifest as discomfort in the jaw. Marcus Smith, a physician at the CardioVascular Health Clinic in Oklahoma, he said he has had patients complain of jaw pain that they initially thought were related to their teeth. They later learned that it was related to angina, which can be a heart problem.

“The nerves that innervate the heart and take on the sensation of pain are the same nerves that take on the same sensation for orthopedic, gastrointestinal, and dental problems; it’s the same distribution of nerves,” he said. “People who have heart problems will often say that they felt pain in their jaw. Therefore, no symptoms should be pushed to the side because it could represent a cardiac symptom.

If you encounter any of these problems, it is best to seek medical attention. (If you think you have a heart attack or stroke, call 911 for good).

Smith said your doctor will first ask you questions about your habits and behaviors to assess your risk factors. From here, it is possible to undergo an examination (or may be referred to a cardiologist) to better understand what is happening.

There are also things you need to do outside of your doctor’s office. Suzanne Steinbaum, a volunteer medical expert on the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement and a cardiologist in New York, recommended taking steps to improve your overall heart health. The first is to monitor blood pressure. A normal range is less than or equal to 120/80.

“High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke,” Steinbaum said. “Watching diet and exercise and incorporating stress control are key components to lowering blood pressure.”

Cholesterol also plays an important role. For adults, total cholesterol should be around 200 or lower (the lower the better). LDL cholesterol (known as bad cholesterol) should be less than 100 for both women and men. HDL (good cholesterol) should be 40 or more for men and 50 or more for women.

“High cholesterol contributes to plaque, which can clog arteries and cause heart disease and stroke,” Steinbaum said. “When you control cholesterol, give your arteries the best chance of staying away from blockages. Cholesterol can often be controlled with dietary changes, increasing the amount of vegetables, whole grains, fruits and incorporating healthy fats. Reducing fats saturated is also an important part of this fact ”.

Finally, try your best to get a move you like. The American Heart Association recommends about 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise a week. (Below is a list of activities you can do to achieve this goal; you don’t need to do boring cardiovascular exercises.)

“Living an active life is one of the most rewarding gifts you can give yourself and those you love,” Steinbaum said. “Simply put, daily physical activity increases your lifespan and your quality of life.”