The Warning Signs of Heart Disease How to Know When You Should See a Cardiologist

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America; it affects more than just adults, either! Children are at risk too. Heart disease is so common that you could have it and not know it. The warning signs are often subtle and may not even be related to the heart. This blog will review some of the most common warning signs of heart disease.

What are the warning signs of heart disease?

• Warning signs of heart disease include:
• Not getting enough exercise
• Swollen ankles or hands
• Fluid on the legs or feet
• Weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Heartburn
• Impaired libido
• Feeling like you have a heart attack
• Pain when you cough or sneeze
• Rapid weight gain
• Feeling tired all the time
• Drinking more coffee and other caffeinated beverages
• Increased appetite
• Eating a lot of red meat

There are also more complicated warning signs of heart disease, such as heart attacks, heart muscle disease, heart valve problems, and stroke. But this is enough to know what is considered a risk factor.

How often should you have your blood pressure checked?

It is a good idea to have your blood pressure checked every time you go to the doctor. The truth is that 90 percent of all heart disease is unknown. Ninety percent! Take a good look at this – 90 percent of heart disease is unknown. In medical terms, this means we don’t know what causes 90 percent of heart disease.

This is why it’s so important to get checked. If you notice that you have one of the warning signs, don’t ignore it. Talk to your doctor about it. Ask what you should do next. Even if you don’t have one of the signs, go get a heart scan. The early signs of heart disease can be found with a heart scan.

There are many symptoms of heart disease. Some are more obvious than others. When there are any red flags that you should pay attention to, take note of them. Keep in mind that symptoms of heart disease can be influenced by age, medications, and stress levels.

What are the most common warning signs of heart disease?

As I said, heart disease is an extremely common disease. Anyone could develop it and not even realize it. One of the most common warning signs is:

Constipation:

Cardiac patients are more prone to constipation. It can become chronic and cause constipation if not appropriately treated. Talk to your doctor about taking laxatives or natural diuretics to help improve your health.

Arteriosclerosis:

A condition called arteriosclerosis can make arteries weak and smaller. This is often caused by plaque buildup inside the arteries. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes that can help keep your arteries from getting worse. They may even prescribe a blood thinner to prevent clots from forming.

Why is it important to detect major warning signs early?

The good news is that most heart diseases can be prevented. The bad news is that 80 percent of people with heart disease don't even know they have it. Even when people have the disease, it can be hard to treat. These are some of the most commonly recognized warning signs of heart disease.

Cholesterol – Elevated or too low, this is one of the most commonly recognized warning signs of heart disease. People with high cholesterol levels can have damage to the arteries that lead to the heart. Studies have shown that people with high cholesterol levels are more likely to die from a heart attack. If you have a family history of heart disease or a history of high cholesterol levels in your family, check with your doctor to see if you have this warning sign.

How can you prevent heart disease?

It's very difficult to prevent heart disease, but there are several ways you can lower your risk. Start off by reducing your risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and high cholesterol. There are plenty of resources available to help you reduce these risk factors, such as the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and the American Lung Association. Make sure you're eating well and exercising regularly.

Even better, schedule a visit with your primary doctor. Don't be shy! Find out what your heart health numbers are. Have you lost weight? Are you eating properly? Do you have high blood pressure? If not, take steps to lower your blood pressure.

As I stated in the title of this blog, heart disease is common and often goes undiagnosed. However, with a bit of knowledge and a healthy lifestyle, you can have a long and healthy life. The warning signs of heart disease are often subtle and maybe only related to the heart. However, just because a person doesn't have the typical warning signs does not mean they don't have heart disease. A heart attack may be silent and non-life-threatening. Because of this, it is important to be as diligent as possible with the warning signs and symptoms of heart disease.