What are the early heart disease symptoms?
- Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By Coronary Artery Disease
- Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By A Heart Attack
- Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By Heart Failure
- Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By Heart Arrhythmia
- Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By Congenital Heart Defects
Heart diseases, also known as cardiovascular diseases, refer to a range of conditions that affect the heart. Illnesses that fall under this umbrella include heart attack, heart failure, stroke, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease. If you don’t receive heart disease treatment, these can cause death. In fact, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart diseases are the leading cause of death globally, causing the death of about 17.9 million people each year. This is why you need to understand the early symptoms of heart disease.
Heart disease is prevalent among the elderly and people of working age, but it can also affect young adults. Fortunately, chronic heart diseases can be prevented if you know what symptoms to watch out for. Different heart diseases require different treatments, but may also share the same warning signs. Learn to recognize the early heart disease symptoms to receive proper treatment early on.
Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease occurs when your coronary arteries are blocked by fatty material (called plaque) build-up. The coronary arteries are responsible for transporting sufficient blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the muscles of the heart.
The earliest and most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, also known as chest pain or chest discomfort. Angina can be described as an aching, pressure, heavy, full, or squeezing feeling in the chest.
Some patients say it feels like an elephant is sitting on their chest, others say it feels like their chest is burning. Because of this, coronary artery disease can be mistaken for heartburn or indigestion.
Keep in mind that with coronary artery disease, angina lasts for a few minutes. In addition, it can happen while at rest or exerting yourself physically.
As stated earlier, coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. Thus, it’s important to visit a doctor when you experience angina. This can also rule out other diseases and help you receive proper treatment.
Other early symptoms of coronary artery disease include:
- Irregular heartbeats (slower or faster heartbeat)
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or fatigue
- Nausea or lightheadedness
- Arms or shoulder pain or discomfort
Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By A Heart Attack
Coronary artery disease is the root cause of heart attack (also known as myocardial infarction). If the blood flow to the heart is severely blocked, it can cause a heart attack. A heart attack can permanently damage muscles of the heart and, if not treated immediately, can cause death.
Many people expect heart attacks to be intense and sudden, but in most cases, they can happen with little to no symptoms. This is why there are cases of “silent” heart attacks, which are more common among patients with diabetes and older people. That being said, it’s extremely important to understand the early symptoms of this heart disease.
During a heart attack, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Nausea or lightheadedness
- Unexplained fatigue
- Pain that radiates from the chest to other body parts such as the jaw, neck, back, arms, shoulders, or stomach
- Shortness of breath
Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By Heart Failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood enough to meet the body’s needs.
The early symptoms of heart failure include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeats
- Palpitations
- Nausea
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Swelling of the abdomen, legs, and ankles
- Persistent coughing that produces white phlegm
- Sudden weight gain
Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By Heart Arrhythmia
Heart arrhythmia is a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat. With his heart disease, you may feel your heart beat too quickly or too slowly.
The symptoms of heart arrhythmia include:
- A “fluttering” sensation in the chest
- Racing heartbeat (tachycardia)
- Slow heartbeat (bradycardia)
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or lightheadedness
- Fainting or near-fainting spells
Early Heart Disease Symptoms Caused By Congenital Heart Defects
A congenital heart defect refers to a problem with the heart’s structure that is present at birth. However, a congenital heart defect can be diagnosed right after birth, during childhood, or even during adulthood.
Congenital heart defect symptoms could include:
- Rapid breathing
- Rapid heartbeat
- Blue skin or lips color (cyanosis)
- Swelling legs, abdomen, or around the eyes
- Fatigue
Key Takeaway
Learn to recognize the early heart disease symptoms we listed in this article. Call your doctor if you experience any of these. Heart diseases are easier to treat when detected early. Your doctor can also talk about how you can reduce your heart disease risk.
If you suspect you or someone else has heart disease, book a doctor’s appointment at Perpetual Help Medical Center – Las Pinas by calling (+632)8874-ALTA (8874) or visiting our hospital branch at Alabang-Zapote Rd., Pamplona III Las Pinas City, Philippines 1740.
Perpetual Help Medical Center-Las Pinas designed to be a one-stop location for all kinds of cardiovascular care, the Heart and Vascular Institute provides a comprehensive range of services to meet the needs of any cardiovascular patient.
