15 Signs of an Unhealthy Heart

KOMPAS.com – Heart not healthy has many signs, but not all occur in the chest, so it is not always easy to detect.

Collect The Healthybecause of that heart disease Also known as silent myocardial ischemia (SMI).

Silent myocardial ischemia is a condition where there is reduced flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart heart that occurs without chest discomfort or other anginal symptoms, such as shortness of breath (dyspnea), nausea, and cold sweats (diaphoresis).

Read also: 9 Symptoms of Blocked Heart Blood Vessels

Collect WebMDpeople with the following conditions are more at risk of developing unhealthy heart:

• Aged 60 years or older
• Overweight
• Have diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure

“The more risk factors you have, the more you should worry about anything that might be heart-related,” says Vincent Bufalino, a spokesman for the American Heart Association.

“If you’re not sure, get checked,” says Charles Chambers, MD, director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute about heart health.

Read also: 4 Heart Disease Risk Factors You Should Be aware of

Here are signs of an unhealthy heart to watch out for:

1. Discomfort in the chest

Collect WebMDyou may experience pain, tightness, or uncomfortable pressure in your chest, as a symptom of blocked arteries or a heart attack.

“Everyone has a different word for that feeling,” says Chambers.
“Some people say it feels like an elephant is sitting on the chest. Other people say it’s like the chest is being pinched or burned,” he continued.

That feeling of discomfort in the chest usually lasts longer than a few minutes.

It can happen when you are resting or doing some physical activity.

Chambers explains that if the discomfort in the chest lasts very briefly or appears after being pushed, that’s normal, not a sign of an unhealthy heart.

If your chest symptoms are more severe and don’t go away after a few minutes, you should see your doctor.

2. Nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or stomach pain

Collect WebMD, Nausea, indigestion, heartburn or stomach pain can also be signs of an unhealthy heart.

Some people who have had a heart attack show these signs.

However, you can experience abdominal pain for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with the heart.

So, it is very important to anticipate by checking heart health, especially when these symptoms appear.

Read also: 5 Types of Foods that are Good for Heart Health

3. Pain that radiates to the arm

Collect WebMD, The classic sign of an unhealthy heart is pain that radiates to the left side of the body.

“Almost always starts at the chest and moves outward,” says Chambers.

“But I have had a few patients who had arm pain that turned out to be a heart attack.”

4. Dizzy head

Collect WebMDdizziness can be a symptom of an unhealthy heart.

The more obvious signs of an unhealthy heart when the headache is followed by chest discomfort or shortness of breath.

“That could mean your blood pressure is dropping because your heart isn’t pumping as well as it should,” says Bufalino.

Although it may be dizzy because the body is not eating or drinking enough.

Read also: Understanding the Link between Cough and Heart Disease

5. Sore throat or jaw

Collect WebMD, sore throat or jaw may not be related to the heart.

It’s most likely caused by a muscle problem, a cold, or a sinus problem.

However, if you experience pain or pressure in the center of your chest that radiates to your throat or jaw, it could be a sign of a heart attack.

6. Tired easily

Collect WebMD, feeling tired that suddenly appears unusual can be one of the signs of an unhealthy heart.

For example, if you suddenly feel tired after doing something that wasn’t a problem before, like climbing the stairs or carrying groceries from the car into the house.

“These types of significant changes are more important to us than any minor aches and pains you may feel,” says Bufalino.

Extreme fatigue or unexplained weakness, which can last for days, can be a symptom of heart disease, especially for women.

Read also: Heart disease

7. Snoring

Collect WebMDLoud snoring that sounds like gasping for air or choking can be signs of an unhealthy heart.

This condition is usually owned by people with sleep apnea, where breathing stops momentarily for several times during sleep at night.

When that happens, the heart is under extra pressure.

Collect The Healthy, When people with sleep apnea sleep, oxygen levels drop and their bodies panic and tell the blood vessels to tighten to increase oxygen flow to the heart and brain, causing shortness of breath.

Snoring or difficulty breathing during sleep has been linked to a higher risk of heart attack or atrial fibrillation, a type of cardiac arrhythmia.

People with frequent sleep apnea are also at risk for high blood pressure, another symptom of an unhealthy heart.

“Go to the doctor and check. Have your blood pressure checked. Do blood tests and stress tests under certain circumstances,” says Suzanne Steinbaum, cardiologist and director of Women’s Cardiovascular Prevention, Health, and Wellness at The Mount Sinai Hospital.

8. Sweating

Collect WebMD, Cold sweats for no apparent reason can be a sign of an unhealthy heart, usually a heart attack.

If this condition occurs along with other symptoms, it is advisable to go to the hospital immediately and do not try to drive yourself.

Read also: Causes of Heart Disease of Various Kinds

9. Non-stop cough

Collect WebMD, If you have a persistent cough that produces white or pink mucus, it could be a sign of heart failure.

This condition occurs when the heart cannot meet the demands of the body, causing blood to leak back into the lungs.

When you find these signs of an unhealthy heart, it is advisable to immediately consult a doctor to check the cause of the cough.

10. Swollen calves, palms, and ankles

Collect WebMDthis could be a sign that your heart is not pumping blood as effectively as it should.

When the heart cannot pump at a normal rate, blood will back up into the veins and cause swelling in the leg area.

Heart failure can also make it difficult for the kidneys to remove extra water and sodium from the body, which can lead to swollen feet.

Read also: Types of Heart Disease and Its Characteristics

11. Irregular heartbeat

Collect WebMD, It is normal for the heart to beat faster when you are nervous or excited.

But it can be a sign of an unhealthy heart, if it beats fast for more than a few seconds and it happens often.

“In most cases, it’s caused by something easily reversible, like too much caffeine or a lack of sleep,” says Bufalino.

But sometimes, it can signal a condition called atrial fibrillation that requires treatment.

So, it is advisable to do an examination to the hospital.

12. Sudden loss of leg hair

Collect The Healthy, sudden loss of leg hair can mean that your legs are deprived of oxygen due to narrowed arteries, which reduces blood flow.

Without that nutrient-rich blood, your hair follicles cannot grow.

“With peripheral artery disease (PAD), you can experience hair loss or slow hair growth in the legs because of poor circulation,” says Erin Michos, professor of medicine and director of preventive cardiology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Maryland.

To ensure a healthy heart, visit your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis for the hair loss.

Read also: From Acne to Heart Disease, This Is The Danger Of Sugar Consumption

13. Have neck or jaw pain

Collect The Healthy, Most people think that chest pain is the first sign of a heart problem.

In fact, heart symptoms can manifest in other parts of the body.

“Women compared with men are more likely to have ‘atypical symptoms’ which often lead to their heart disease going unrecognized and untreated,” says Dr. Michos.

“It’s important to know that signs of an unhealthy heart don’t always manifest as chest pain.”

Signs of a heart attack in women can include nausea and fatigue.

The neck or jaw can also be a sign of angina, an underlying heart problem that occurs when the heart is deprived of oxygen-rich blood.

Angina may feel like a constricting or squeezing pressure in your chest, but it can also spread to other parts of your body, such as your neck, jaw, back, or shoulders.

14. Swollen gums

Collect The Healthy, A healthy heart requires a healthy mouth too.

People with gum disease often suffer from swollen gums caused by inflammation.

Meanwhile, inflammation in the body can lead to an increased risk of heart attack.

“People who have periodontal disease in their bodies often have high levels of inflammation,” says Dr. Michos.

“Inflammation can trigger inflammation throughout the body,” he added.

Read also: Heart Disease Risk Increases in People With Mental Disorders

15. Erectile dysfunction

Collect The HealthyOne of the classic signs of an unhealthy heart is erectile dysfunction.

Anxiety, depression, and stress can also hinder your ability to have sex with your partner.

However, your erectile dysfunction problem could also stem from blocked arteries, which prevent blood from flowing properly to your penis.

Erectile vascular dysfunction is the most common type of sexual dysfunction and is often caused by two types of diseases, namely atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction.

Atherosclerosis causes arteries to harden and narrow, leading to heart attacks and strokes.

Endothelial dysfunction prevents your blood vessels from relaxing properly, which decreases blood flow throughout your body.

“Symptoms of erectile dysfunction often precede the onset of cardiac symptoms by at least two years,” says Dr. Michos.

“Erectile dysfunction detection offers prevention of heart disease,” he said.

Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, and lack of exercise are also risk factors for heart disease, so see your doctor for regular checkups to stay healthy.

Read also: 4 Serious Complications Due to Coronary Heart

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