Heart Disease Symptoms
Heart disease is a diagnosis used to describe a variety of different illnesses and diseases that affect the heart. Some heart diseases may affect the blood vessels as well. Some ailments that often fall under the term of heart disease include those that a person is born with, like congenital heart disease. Others that affect the heart’s rhythm may be arrhythmias and diseases that affect the blood vessels like coronary artery disease.
A person who has a variety of different conditions that may include blocked or narrowed blood vessels is sometimes referred to as having a cardiovascular disease. A heart disease label is often applied to this particular condition as well. Blocked arteries can ultimately lead to a heart attack, chest pain or a stroke. An infection or other condition that affects the lining or muscles surrounding the heart are also put into the heart disease category.
Heart disease kills more adults in the United States than all forms of cancer combined. 40 percent of deaths in the United States are attributed to heart disease. The number one killer of all men and women in the entire world is heart disease. Heart disease is preventable and the number of deaths can be drastically reduced with a little diet and exercise.
Symptoms may vary for each person, depending on the type of heart disease each individual has.
Heart Disease Symptoms caused by Cardiovascular Disease
Narrowed, blocked or hardened blood vessels can cause cardiovascular disease. The clogged blood vessels make it difficult or impossible for all areas of the body to get the blood needed. Cardiovascular disease symptoms often include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- A tingling or numb sensation in the arms and legs, the limbs may also be very weak
Unfortunately, a person may not even realize they have a cardiovascular disease until they have a heart attack, stroke, suffer from chest pain and in some cases, death. Knowing the symptoms of cardiovascular disease can save a person’s life. A doctor may be able to diagnose a cardiovascular disease early before any serious damage is done.
Heart Disease Symptoms caused by Abnormal Heartbeats (Heart Arrhythmias)
When a person’s heart beats too slow, too fast or irregularly it is considered an arrhythmia. Some symptoms associated with heart arrhythmias include:
- A fast heartbeat
- A fluttering in your chest
- A slow or weak heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Feeling faint or actually passing out
Symptoms of Heart Disease caused by a Heart Defect
Most people who are born with a heart defect are usually diagnosed early in their youth. Some symptoms associated with heart defect induced heart disease include:
- Blue or gray skin tone
- Unexplained swelling around the eyes, in the abdomen or in the legs
- Difficulty breathing while eating
There are some non life threatening heart defects that may go undiagnosed until a child is older or possibly not until adulthood. Some symptoms of the less-serious heart defects include:
- Short of breath during playing or exercise
- Tire easily while playing or exercising
- Fluid build-up around the heart or lung
- Feet, ankles and hands swelling
Heart Disease Symptoms caused by Thick Heart Muscle (Cardiomyopathy)
When a person’s heart muscle becomes thick or stiff it is called cardiomyopathy. The onset of cardiomyopathy does not usually result in any symptoms. As the condition worsens, some symptoms can include:
- Out of breath during exercise or relaxing
- Legs, ankle and/or feet swelling
- Fluid fills the abdomen causing a bloated feeling
- Fatigue
- Arrhythmias-fast, slow or pounding heartbeat
- Dizziness, lightheadedness and/or fainting
Heart Disease Symptoms caused by Heart Infections
Three types of heart infections can cause heart disease. Pericarditis affects the area around the heart, myocarditis affects the middle layer of tissue around the heart, and endocarditis affects the inner area between the chambers and valves of the heart. Each infection may produce its own set of symptoms, but some of the more common include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- A dry cough
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen
- Heart rhythm changes
- A rash or spots appearing on the skin
Valvular Heart Disease Symptoms
A heart has four valves that help control the blood flow to the heart. When a specific condition damages one of those valves, valvular heart disease results. The damaged valve may be caused by a number of different conditions. The symptoms associated with valvular heart disease may vary, depending on the valve that is damaged. Some symptoms include:
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Arrhythmias
- Swelling in the feet or ankles
- Chest pain
- Feeling faint or passing out
When It’s Time to Seek Medical Advice
If any of the following three symptoms are present, a person should get emergency medical care:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
Heart disease is manageable when detected early. If a person is concerned with their heart health, those concerns should be passed along to a doctor. The doctor can evaluate and give advice on how to maintain a healthy heart. People who have a family history that includes heart disease should be vigilant when it comes to ensuring a healthy heart.