5 Signs that you are Suffering from a Heart Problem

To have a heart problem means to suffer from a heart disease such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), congestive heart failure or in the worst case scenario a heart attack. According to World Health Organization (WHO), the leading cause of death worldwide is CVD. In their publication titled Global Atlas on cardiovascular disease control and prevention they note that in 2008 alone, 17 million people died as a result of CVD, and more than 3 million of these deaths were people under 60 years of age. However, CVD is easily preventable in 90% of all cases by living a healthy lifestyle that. If you are worried that you may be suffering from a heart disease, take a look at these 5 common symptoms associated with heart problems.

1. Chest pain

Chest pain also called angina, is a type of discomfort that happens when the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen. This pain can also occur in your shoulders, neck, back, jaw and arms. Angina is a very common symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD) which is caused by a build-up of plaque in the heart’s arteries. The risks associated with developing CHD and angina are smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure, being inactive, and old age. Living a healthy lifestyle significantly decreases the possibility of developing CHD. There are, of course, other diseases that can also cause chest pain such as anemia, lung infections, panic attacks and others which is why only a doctor can determine if your chest pain is caused by a heart disease.

2. Shortness of Breath

Another sign that you might be having heart problems is if you are experiencing shortness of breath during physical activity or even at rest. If you have been experiencing difficulties with breathing for quite some time, do consult your physician as this can be a warning sign of a serious problem. Being short of breath due to a heart disease is a result of fluid leaking into the lungs because the heart is too weak to keep up with the blood supply coming from the lungs. Severe shortness of breath along with sharp chest pain that radiates to the left arm can be a symptom of a heart attack. Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack is important as it is an emergency that requires immediate intervention. If you want to reliving heart disease take a healthy diet plan

3. Irregular Beating

If you can feel your heart racing or throbbing and this is causing you discomfort, it can be a sign of diseases such as anemia, panic attacks or hypothyroidism, but it can also be a sign of a heart problem. If a heart disease is the cause of an irregular heartbeat, this is because the heart is making up for the loss in pumping enough blood by beating faster. Another cause of an irregular heart beat is arrhythmia. Arrhythmia refers to a group of conditions that cause the heart to beat either too fast or too slow. Arrhythmias can be completely harmless or they can be life-threatening.

4. Fatigue

Fatigue is a very common symptom of many disorders.  It can be caused by simple physical exhaustion or it can mean that your body is struggling with a diseases. Fatigue is a fairly unspecific symptom, but if you are experiencing fatigue along with the previously mentioned symptoms you may be suffering from a CVD. Fatigue caused by a heart problem is the result of a lack of blood being pumped to body tissue which leaves it short of oxygen supplies. The diseased heart struggles to supply vital organs first leaving less important body tissue such as the muscles short of oxygen. This, in turn, results in a feeling of tiredness. Feeling extremely tired suddenly is one unusual symptom of a heart attack in women. Women and men are known to experience symptoms of heart diseases differently.

5. Mental confusion

Memory problems, impaired concentration, and a general feeling disorientation can indicate that something serious is happening in your body. When the heart is not working properly it can affect other organs, most notably the kidneys. A slowed down blood flow from the heart due to a heart disease can cause fluid build up in body parts. The kidneys in such circumstances are not able to dispose enough sodium from the body and sodium levels build up in other organs such as the brain which can cause mental confusion.

If you are experiencing one or all of these symptoms it can mean that you are suffering from a heart disease. Addressing any issues as soon as possible will help you avoid a host of other diseases that develop as a result of a heart disease. Living a healthy lifestyle is a proven way to prevent developing heart problems in the first place. Eating a Mediterranean diet as well as being physically active is associated with a lower risk of developing CVD. Taking care of your heart is important for overall health and longevity.

References:
http://www.imfaceplate.com/willoconner/is-your-heart-getting-more-older-than-you
https://medium.com/@daisygrace/6-alkaline-foods-that-fight-cancer-and-heart-disease-d4a9817e32be#.ze2ywm5qa