Early Signs of Heart Disease

Early Signs of Heart Disease that you need to be aware of Cardiac Fitness

Would you know if something was wrong with your heart? There aren't
always obvious indicators that something is wrong with your heart. The
chest grasp followed by a tumble to the floor seen in movies isn’t the norm.
Some cardiac symptoms aren't felt in the chest, and it's not always easy to
figure out what's wrong.
"If you're not sure, get it checked out," that’s advice from Dr. Charles
Chambers, head of Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute's
Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. According to Dr. Vincent Bufalino, an
American Heart Association representative, this is especially true if you are
60 or older, overweight, or have diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood
pressure. He says, "the more risk factors you have, the more concerned
you should be about anything heart-related.”
When a section of the heart muscle doesn't get enough blood, it causes a
heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction. The longer the heart
muscle goes without treatment to restore blood flow, the more damage it
sustains. The most common cause of heart attack is coronary artery
disease (CAD). Another, less common, reason is a strong spasm, or
sudden contraction, of the coronary artery, which can block blood flow to
the heart muscle.
Keep an eye out for the following issues:

1. Discomfort in the Chest

It's the most prevalent symptom of a heart attack. You may feel discomfort,
tightness, or pressure in your chest if you have a blocked artery or are
suffering a heart attack. Chambers explains, "Everyone has a different
phrase for that experience." "Some people describe it as though anelephant is sitting on them, while others describe it as a pinching or burning
sensation."
The sensation normally lasts for several minutes. It can happen when
you're at rest or doing anything physically strenuous. It's probably not your
heart if the pain is only temporary or if it's a region that hurts worse when
you touch or push on it, according to Chambers. You should still consult a
doctor about it. Call 911 if the symptoms are more severe and don't go
away within a few minutes. Keep in mind that you might have cardiac
problems, including a heart attack, without experiencing chest pain. This is
especially prevalent among women.

2. Nausea, Indigestion, Heartburn, or Stomach Pain

During a heart attack, some people experience these symptoms. According
to Chambers, they may even vomit. Women are more likely than men to
report this type of symptom.
Of course, you can have an upset stomach for a variety of reasons
unrelated to your heart. After all, it could just be something you ate. You
should be warned, however, that it can also occur during a heart attack. So,
if you're experiencing these symptoms and you're at risk for heart
problems, see a doctor right away, especially if you're experiencing any of
the other symptoms on this list.

3. Arm Pain

Pain radiating down the left side of the body is another common symptom
of a heart attack. "It almost invariably begins in the chest and spreads
outward," Chambers adds. "However, I've encountered patients without
arm pain who ended up having heart attacks."

4. You're Feeling Lightheaded or Dizzy

Many factors can cause you to lose your balance or feel faint for a brief
moment. You may not have had enough to eat or drink, or you may have
stood up too quickly. However, if you get shaky and experience chest pain
or shortness of breath, see a doctor immediately. "It could indicate that yourblood pressure has decreased because your heart isn't pumping as
efficiently as it should," Bufalino explains.

5. Pain in the Throat or Jaw

Throat or jaw pain is unlikely to be caused by the heart on its own. It's more
than likely due to a musculoskeletal condition, a cold, or a sinus problem. It
could be an indication of a heart attack if you have discomfort or pressure
in the center of your chest that radiates to your throat or jaw. To make sure
everything is okay, dial 911 and seek medical help.

6. You’re Easily Exhausted.

Make an appointment with your doctor immediately if you suddenly feel
tired or breathless after doing something you've never had trouble doing
before, such as climbing the stairs or carrying groceries from the car.
"These kinds of huge shifts are more important to us than every small ache
and pain you're experiencing," adds Bufalino.
Excessive weariness or inexplicable weakness, which can last for days,
might be a sign of heart disease, particularly in women.

7. Snoring

It's natural to snore a little when sleeping. Sleep apnea can be detected by
unusually loud snoring that sounds like gasping or choking, which occurs
when you briefly stop breathing multiple times during a sleeping session.
Your heart is put under additional strain due to this interruption.
Your doctor can determine whether you require a sleep study to diagnose
you with this disease. If this is the case, you may require a CPAP machine
to help you breathe more easily while you sleep.

8. Sweating

A cold sweat that appears out of nowhere could indicate a heart attack. If
this occurs in conjunction with any of the other symptoms, dial 911 to go to
a hospital as soon as possible. Do not attempt to drive by yourself.

9. A Cough That Won't Go Away

This isn't always an indicator of a cardiac problem. However, if you have
heart disease or know you're at risk, you should be more concerned about
the possibilities. It could be an indication of heart failure if you have a
persistent cough that produces white or pink mucus. When the heart is
unable to keep up with the body's demands, blood leaks back into the
lungs. Inquire with your doctor about the source of your cough.

10. You have swollen legs, feet, and ankles.

This could indicate that your heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should
be. Blood backs up in the veins when the heart can't pump fast enough,
which causes bloating. Heart failure can make it more difficult for the
kidneys to eliminate excess water and sodium from the body, which also
results in bloating.

11. Irregular Heartbeat

It's normal for your heart to race when you're frightened or excited, or for it
to add or skip a beat every now and then. Tell your doctor if you feel your
heart is beating out of time for more than a few seconds or if it happens
frequently. "Most of the time, it's triggered by something simple like too
much caffeine or not getting enough sleep," Bufalino explains. However, it
may occasionally indicate the presence of a condition known as atrial
fibrillation, which necessitates medical attention.

Before we go into the diagnosis, please like and share this video with
your friends and family to educate them about heart disease.

Diagnosis

A physical examination will be performed by your doctor, who will also
inquire about your personal and family medical history. The tests you'll
need to diagnose your heart illness are determined by your doctor's
suspicions.

• An Electrocardiogram is a test that can be used to diagnose cardiac
  problems in addition to blood tests and a chest X-ray. An
  electrocardiogram (ECG) is a painless and rapid examination that
  monitors the electrical signals in your heart. It can detect irregularcardiac rhythms. An ECG can be performed while you're at rest or
  while you're exercising.
• Holter monitoring is a method of keeping track of your heart rate. A
  Holter monitor is a portable ECG gadget that you wear for 24 to 72
  hours to record your heart rhythm. Holter monitoring is used to detect
  heart rhythm issues that aren't detected by a standard ECG.
• An Echocardiogram is a noninvasive test that uses sound waves to
  provide detailed images of the structure of your heart. It depicts how
  your heart pumps blood and beats.
• A stress test involves increasing your heart rate through exercise or
  medication while performing cardiac tests and imaging to see how
  your heart reacts.
• Catheterization of the heart involves a short tube (sheath) that is
  inserted into a vein or artery in your leg (groin) or arm during this
  examination. The sheath is then inserted with a hollow, flexible, and
  longer tube (guide catheter). Your doctor carefully threads the
  catheter through the artery until it reaches your heart, using X-ray
  images on a monitor as a guide.
• The pressure in your heart’s chambers can be measured by injecting
  dye during cardiac catheterization. The dye is visible on an X-ray,
  which allows your doctor to check for issues by seeing how the blood
  flows through your heart, arteries, and valves.
• A Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the heart requires you to
  recline on a table within a doughnut-shaped machine for a heart CT
  scan. The machine's X-ray tube moves around your body, collecting
  images of your heart and chest.
• A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the heart creates
  comprehensive images of your heart using a magnetic field and
  computer-generated radio waves.

Overall

• Physical exertion - Talk to your healthcare provider about the things you do daily in your life and at work. Following a heart attack, your doctor may advise you to reduce your employment, travel, and sexual activity for some time. 
• In addition to taking prescription medications, lifestyle changes such
  as eating a healthier diet, increasing physical activity, stopping
  smoking, and managing stress can help improve your heart health
  and quality of life. Inquire with your doctor about enrolling in a cardiac
  rehabilitation program to assist you in making these lifestyle changes.
• Cardiac rehabilitation is a crucial treatment for anyone recovering
  from a heart attack, heart failure, or another heart disease that
  required surgery or medical attention.