Mishita, 55 years old, had been feeling low and depressed for a few months. For the past 2 days, she began experiencing slight restlessness, palpitations, and a suffocating feeling followed by mild chest pain radiating to her left shoulder. Being alone, she called her daughter to share these symptoms. Her daughter immediately alerted a neighbour who had basic knowledge about heart symptoms and helped save Mishita from a major heart attack. Early signs of arteriosclerosis were detected, and with lifestyle changes, Mishita is now happy, healthy, and almost off medication!
How & When Does Heart Disease Develop?
Heart disease often develops over time due to an unhealthy lifestyle. Early signs or symptoms can manifest long before a serious heart issue arises. In my practice, I have seen that the body, including the heart, will give several signs before it deteriorates. It’s up to you how much you listen to your body.
Heart disease describes a range of conditions affecting the heart. It could relate to blood vessels, such as coronary artery disease—especially arteriosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart, which can lead to myocardial infarction)—or arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats due to issues with the heart’s electrical system). Some people are born with heart conditions, such as congenital heart defects. Two major factors that affect heart health are a person’s physiological and emotional constitution.
Psychoneuroimmunology has proven that individuals who are sad, depressed, unhealthy, or unhappy are at greater risk for heart attacks and other diseases. Emotional, mental, and physical well-being are key to leading a healthy life.
Signs To Watch Out For
I’ll be discussing common symptoms of a heart attack, as the number of people affected continues to rise. If you experience any of the following symptoms at any age, it’s crucial to seek medical advice:
- Chest Pain: Discomfort or pain in the chest, which can be felt on the left, center, or sometimes even the right side, and may radiate to the left shoulder, upper back, jaw, or chin. There are many causes of chest pain unrelated to the heart, but it remains the most common symptom of poor blood flow to the heart cells, leading to a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
- It can feel like crushing pain or mild discomfort.
- It might feel heavy, or like the heart is being squeezed. Some may feel a sharp, burning sensation in the chest or upper stomach area.
- Chest pain may occur during activity, after emotional experiences, or at rest, and may improve with rest or nitroglycerin.
- Bad indigestion can also cause chest pain, but it doesn’t necessarily indicate heart trouble. However, any symptoms are the body’s way of communicating, so do not ignore them.
Additional symptoms to be aware of include extreme anxiety, fainting, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, palpitations (feeling like your heart is beating too fast or irregularly), shortness of breath, and heavy sweating.
For individuals with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol, symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, general weakness, or changes in skin color.
Symptoms That Need Cardiac Attention
- Shortness of Breath: When the heart can’t pump blood as well as it should, blood backs up in the veins that go from the lungs to the heart. Fluid leaks into the lungs and causes shortness of breath. This is a symptom of heart failure. One may notice shortness of breath during activity, while resting or when lying flat on the back – it might wake you up from sleep.
- Continuous coughing or wheezing could be a sign that the fluid is building up in the lungs. One may also cough up mucus that is pink or bloody.
- Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, or Feet: because the blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in the legs. This causes fluid to build up in the tissues. One may also experience swelling in the stomach or notice some weight gain. This is mostly seen in congestive cardiac failure.
- Narrowed Blood Vessels could mean a higher risk of a heart attack & can occur when cholesterol and other fatty material (plaque) builds upon the walls of the arteries. It is also the cause of hypertension.
- Fatigue: Tiredness can have many causes. It could be a sign of heart trouble when one feels so tired that regular activities are not conducted or when the feeling is sudden and leads to severe weakness
- Palpitations: If the heart can’t pump blood normally, it may beat faster to try to keep up. It might feel that the heart is racing or throbbing. A fast or uneven heartbeat can also be a sign of arrhythmia. This is a problem with your heart rate or rhythm.
The heart is an organ that never rests until you do. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for maintaining heart health. Your diet, sleep, stress levels, emotional state, and physical activity all play key roles in your heart’s well-being. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, seek medical attention immediately.
Don’t let the rhythm of your heart be disturbed. In most heart-related cases, prevention is the only cure!
Watch out for Part 2 of this article. For more on heart health, check out Healthy Reads or speak to a certified expert by subscribing to GOQii’s Personalised Health Coaching here.
#BeTheForce
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general awareness and educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalised medical guidance or concerns related to your health.
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