The human body is incredible. It can heal from minor cuts and scrapes and protect us from infections. Because of its abilities, we often let symptoms of illness go by the wayside. But there's more at stake when it comes to matters of the heart.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms of different heart conditions and why you shouldn’t ignore them.
Chest Pain
One of the most common symptoms of heart disease is chest pain. Unfortunately, many people don’t pay much attention to it or associate it with heart problems. It’s important to know what type of chest pains to be aware of so you can seek the medical help you need.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease-related chest pain can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or sharp pains. It often occurs in the center of the chest or the left side and lasts more than a few minutes.
Angina is a type of chest pain that results from the heart not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood and is associated with coronary artery disease. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, approximately 11 million people in the United States are affected by it. However, chest pain can signal other cardiovascular diseases. That’s why it’s vital to seek medical attention immediately if you’re experiencing chest pain.
Dizziness
Although our hearts are physically small, they play a mighty role in our everyday lives. Our hearts pump an average of 2,000 gallons of blood each day. At this volume, they must be in optimal condition.
Dizziness that occurs suddenly or randomly is associated with various heart conditions. It also can be a sign of atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is a cardiovascular condition that causes our hearts to not pump enough blood to our bodies. According to the American Heart Association, inadequate blood flow can cause lightheadedness, a key symptom of AFib.
Lightheadedness can be a symptom of more than just AFib, so it’s important that you seek medical attention immediately if you experience this.
Shortness of Breath
Feeling shortness of breath is likely something we’ve all experienced. It’s common during exercise and other aerobic activities. However, it’s a cause for concern if it happens while you’re at rest. This can be a sign of various heart conditions like angina and AFib.
If your heart isn’t pumping enough blood, it can cause your breathing to speed up, making you feel short of breath. Liquid dripping into our lungs can also cause shortness of breath. The liquid makes getting enough air difficult. It’s vital that you seek medical attention immediately if you experience shortness of breath while at rest or doing any non-aerobic activity.
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are feelings of irregular, racing or pounding heartbeats. They can occur at any time, whether you’re physically exerting yourself or at rest. They’re most prevalent in moments of anxiety, but they could be a cause for more concern.
Heart palpitations can be a symptom of an irregular heartbeat, also known as an arrhythmia. Seek medical attention if you have a family history of heart disease or if you have palpitations that occur frequently or worsen over time. Although heart palpitations are usually harmless, it’s important that you don’t write this symptom off and take it seriously to ensure you receive the care you deserve.
Arm and Jaw Pain
According to the American Heart Association, jaw pain can be caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, with pain radiating from the chest to your jaw. It can be easy to assume this pain is simply related to your oral health, but it’s also a sign of heart disease. It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience sudden jaw or chest pain.
Pain in your arms, particularly your left arm, is a warning sign of a heart attack. This correlation is attributed to the branch of nerves that runs from our heart and arm, sending signals to the same brain cells. Seek medical help immediately if you experience sudden pain in your left or both arms.
Heart to Heart
At AdventHealth, we seek to care for all of you in body, mind and spirit because you matter. Visit us here to learn more about our heart and vascular care services, or request an appointment.
