It is the most important muscle in the body, pumping oxygen and nutrients to all organs and tissues to keep you alive.
However, if there is something wrong with the heart, it can take years before the problems are diagnosed.
Symptoms can be vague and many heart diseases are “hidden”, meaning they are not visible from the outside.
Sindy Jodar, senior heart nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), warns that a condition often goes undetected until something goes wrong or it’s too late.
“That’s why it’s important to never ignore the signs of heart disease and get checked out to be on the safe side,” she says.
While some warning signs, such as severe chest pain, are easy to spot, others are vague and harder to pinpoint.
Here, experts share some of the less obvious symptoms of heart disease.
While some warning signs (pictured) are easy to spot – such as: B. severe chest pain – others are vague and harder to spot
Feeling unusually tired
Dr M Adil U Khan, general practitioner at Pall Mall Medical, says one should “not ignore or downplay unusual levels of fatigue”.
While it’s normal to feel exhausted when you’ve been very busy or haven’t slept much, he adds, “If you’re feeling unusually tired, especially if it’s not related to exercise, you should investigate.”
This could be due to something like anemia, a virus or even mental health. It can also be related to your heart, so it’s important to get it checked out.
Subtle discomfort
“Look for subtle discomfort in different parts of your body, including discomfort or pain in the jaw, neck, back, or stomach, that may be related to a heart problem,” says Dr. Khan.
If your symptoms are out of the norm and don’t go away, it’s always best to get them checked out.
Unusual swelling
You may have noticed that your ankles seem particularly swollen, or that the area around your stomach is constantly swollen for no apparent reason.
“Unexplained swelling, so-called edema, in the legs, ankles or abdomen can also be signs of heart failure,” explains Dr. Khan.
Vomiting and feeling of suffocation
You should also keep an eye out for sudden vomiting or a choking sensation in your throat.
“While not every bout of nausea means something serious could happen, nausea and other pain, such as severe chest pain, should set off alarm bells,” says Ms Jodar.
Yes, it could be the stomach flu, but if you’re experiencing frequent vomiting and nausea and you’re not sure why, don’t wait too long to get checked out.
Fit out
If you suddenly faint, this is a big indicator that something is wrong.
“If fainting or other symptoms become a problem, consult a doctor and make an appointment with a doctor or cardiologist,” says Dr. Khan. “Discuss your symptoms, medical history and risk factors with them.”
“Your doctor will assess your vital signs and do a physical exam.”
“Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, you may have diagnostic tests such as EKGs, echocardiograms, stress tests, blood tests or more specialized heart tests.”
short of breath
Taking a breath is not a trivial matter.
“Anyone who experiences shortness of breath during everyday activities or at rest should consult their doctor,” says Dr. Khan.
This is especially true if it is accompanied by chest pain, even if it does not seem particularly bad.
Dr Khan adds: “Mild chest discomfort should always be investigated, but some people mistake it for indigestion or muscle pain.”
Unusual sweating
“The feeling of being hot, humid and quite sweaty when you haven’t done any vigorous exercise should not be ignored,” adds Ms Jodar.
“If you’re also experiencing chest pain, it’s important to get checked out.”
Irregularities in heartbeat
Does your pulse sometimes feel jerky or too fast? Have it checked by your doctor.
Dr Khan says: “Smartwatches and fitness trackers can provide valuable data about your heart rate and to some extent detect irregularities.” They can help monitor general trends in heart rate, especially during physical activity or at rest.
“However, it is not a substitute for medical quality monitoring and assessment…”
“Any worrisome symptoms should be assessed by a healthcare professional for a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
