Heart disease warning signs
The primary cause of death among Americans is cardiovascular disease. Over 787,000 people died from heart disease in just 2011 alone. CardioSmart stated a few years ago that cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of approximately one in four U.S. citizens.
Often, heart disease warning signs are misunderstood as minor inconveniences or insignificant health problems. Though experiencing just one of these symptoms alone might not be a telltale sign of a heart condition, having many symptoms could mean you have cardiovascular disease or are about to suffer a heart attack.
Contacting a health care provider and learning about appropriate treatment options is crucial if you have more than one of these symptoms:
1. You have aches in your chest and shoulders
It has long been known that tightness in the chest, particularly if it occurs on the left side close to your heart, could indicate an approaching heart attack. The loss of heart muscle cells is what causes these painful symptoms. In some cases, discomfort from tightness and strain on the heart can be so excruciating that it spreads to the upper body, particularly the shoulder area. This condition is known as angina, and it is characterized by pain that is specifically connected to your heart not getting enough blood to function properly. A slow and steady buildup of pain in the shoulder region may be a sign of dangerous heart conditions. However, sharp pain in the shoulder is typically not indicative of a heart problem.
2. You snore and have difficulty sleeping
Cardiovascular disease and other heart illnesses have been directly connected to snoring and sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing is disrupted multiple times during the night.
Irregular sleep patterns brought on by episodes of sleep apnea may have a significant impact on your heart. According to the American Heart Association, sleep apnea hinders restorative sleep and is linked to excessive hypertension, arrhythmia, stroke, and cardiac failure. Sleep apnea or episodes of snoring that have recently emerged may be a sign of a heart condition.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is linked to being overweight, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Having excess weight around your neck or upper chest might lead to airflow obstruction, which results in disturbed sleeping patterns. Many health care providers report a decrease in their patients’ blood pressure after sleep apnea has been managed or successfully treated.
3. You can’t achieve an erection or lack interest in sexual intercourse
It’s known that erectile dysfunction, or the inability to achieve and maintain an erection strong enough to allow sexual intercourse may be an early indication of existing or future cardiac issues. The abnormal blood flow from the heart to the genital area, which may result from atherosclerosis, the artery constriction that leads to cardiac diseases, can result in erectile dysfunction.
The link between sexual issues and cardiovascular disease is illustrated by the fact that those with heart disease express significant difficulties when they resume sexual activity, including a loss of libido, sexual dissatisfaction, and a reduction in sexual activity. Women can also develop the same problems. A diseased heart can induce inappropriate blood flow to the vaginal area, which might reduce a woman’s desire to have sex.
4. You feel dizzy and lightheaded
The major cause of heart attacks and strokes is the limited blood supply to the brain, which can induce dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting. Reports indicate that dizziness is a very predominant symptom of heart failure, which often occurs when getting up too fast.
