Heart problems are the leading cause of death worldwide, since according to the World Heart Federation, approximately 18.6 million people die each year. However, a high percentage of these diseases can be prevented by following a healthy diet, exercising and avoiding tobacco consumption, among other measures.
Cardiovascular diseases represent 31% of all deaths registered in the world, according to the World Health Organization. They can start with signs or symptoms long before serious heart problems or, in some cases, none at all.
Symptoms like chest pain, swollen ankles, and shortness of breath can be signs that something is wrong. Knowing the warning signs and seeing a doctor quickly can help prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Possible symptoms of a heart problem
chest pain
The chest pain it can occur when the heart is not getting enough blood or oxygen. The amount and type of pain can vary from person to person. The intensity of the pain is not always related to the severity of the problem.
- Paralyzing pain or severe discomfort in the chest.
- You may feel a heaviness in your chest or feel like someone is pressing on your heart. You may also feel a sharp, burning pain in your chest.
- D.odor under the breastbone or neck, arms, stomach, jaw or upper back.
- Severe indigestion can also cause chest pain.
- Fatigue
- Difficult breathing
- general weakness
- Changes in skin color or greyish pallor (episodes of skin changes associated with weakness
- extreme anxiety
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- nausea or vomiting
- Palpitations (feeling that your heart is beating too fast or irregularly)
- Difficult breathing
- sweating
Difficult breathing
when the heart cannot pump blood As it should, the blood returns to the veins running from the lungs to the heart. The fluid leaks into the lungs and causes breathing difficulties. This is a symptom of cardiac arrest.
Cough or wheezing
Coughing or wheezing that does not go away may be signs that the fluid is accumulating in the lungs. You may also be expelling pink or bloody mucus.
Swelling of the legs, ankles or feet
Swelling (edema) in the lower legs is another sign of a heart problem. When your heart isn’t functioning as well, the blood flow slows down and returns to the veins of the legs. This causes fluid to accumulate in the tissues.
narrow blood vessels
Narrowing of the blood vessels that carry blood to other parts of the body could mean that you have a much higher risk of having a heart attack. This can happen when cholesterol builds up on the artery walls.
This can cause:
- Pain, soreness, fatigue, burning or discomfort in the muscles of the feet, calves or thighs
- Symptoms that often appear with walking or exercise and disappear after several minutes of rest
- Numbness in the legs or feet when resting. The legs may also be cold to the touch and the skin may feel pale.
TO cerebrovascular accident (CVA) it occurs when blood flow to part of the brain stops. It is sometimes referred to as a “brain attack”. Symptoms of a stroke can include difficulty moving limbs to one side of the body, falling to one side of the face, difficulty speaking or understanding language.
Fatigue
Fatigue can have many causes. Sometimes it just means you need more rest. But feeling exhausted can be a sign of a more serious problem.
Fatigue can be a sign of heart problems when:
- You feel more tired than usual. It is normal for women to feel very tired before or during a heart attack.
- You have sudden and severe weakness.
- Tiredness that does not allow you to carry out daily activities.
Fast or irregular heartbeat
If your heart cannot pump blood properly, beating fast or beating fast could be a sign of arrhythmia.
What to do if you have symptoms?
According to the study by Archives of Cardiology of Mexico, the best symptom management is the monitoring and diagnostics of pulse oximetry for the early diagnosis of heart disease. However, periodic review is always recommended to prevent and treat future problems.
Source: Clarin
