Early Signs & Symptoms of Heart Disease

According to the Mayo Clinic, heart disease describes diseases that attack the heart or your blood vessels. These type of diseases can include arrhythima issues, heart defects or coronary artery disease. It can also include conditions that may lead to a heart attack, angina or stroke. Even infections that disrupt your heart muscle or the rhythm of your heart are considered aspects of heart disease. The Mayo Clinic states that, "heart disease kills 40 percent of people within the United States." It is important, if you have been diagnosed with a heart condition, to take medications as prescribed by your physician and be closely monitored.

Heart Attack

When you have a heart attack, your blood supply to your heart is suddenly restricted, and the cells in your heart will die. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 785,000 Americans will have an initial heart attack each year. If you notice symptoms of not being able to catch your breath, pain in your shoulders or arms, chest pain or sensation of squeezing within the chest, feeling weak to the point of possibly fainting, or pain in your jaw, neck or back, seek immediate help. Women are more likely to feel as if they are experiencing indigestion, such as a burning in the chest.

Cardiovascular Disease

When you have cardiovascular disease, your blood vessels become narrowed or blocked. Blood is then unable to flow easily to your heart, brain and other organs within your body. You may have angina (chest pain) or have shortness of breath. You may also feel pain, coldness or a numbing sensation in your legs and arms. According to the Mayo Clinic, many cases of cardiovascular disease are not diagnosed until you have experienced a heart attack, angina, heart failure or even death.

Arrhythmia

Heart arrhythmia is a condition where your heart beats irregularly. In most cases, you may feel a sensation where your heart flutters, or beats too fast (tachycardia) or too slow (bradycardia). You may also notice chest pain, difficulty in breathing, or a feeling of being lightheaded or dizzy. Sometimes you may experience a syncope (fainting) episode.

Congenital Heart Defects

A congenital heart defect is a heart condition you are born with. A condition known as cyanosis, or when your skin turns blue or gray, may be noticed. You may have swelling in your legs, abdomen or around your eyes. When you eat, you may have difficulty catching your breath.

Stroke

One would not think that a stroke would not be synonymous with heart disease, but it is. If an artery becomes blocked, blood flow to the brain ceases, and brain cells begin to die. According to Hope Heart Institute, a stroke is the result of a blocked or injured artery that leads to or is found within the brain. If you have a stroke, you will experience possible paralysis on one side of your body, visual disturbances (such as blurred vision), slurred speech, the inability to walk or a headache that appears suddenly and cannot be alleviated.

Infections

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are three types of infections that can lead to heart disease: pericarditis, myocarditis and endocarditis. With pericarditis, the tissue that surrounds your heart will be affected. Myocarditis is when the middle of the heart walls are affected. Endocarditis is when the membrane that separates your heart valves and chambers are affected. You may begin to develop a fever, swelling of your lower extremities and abdomen, heart rhythm disturbances, fatigue, a cough or a rash.

Seeking Treatment

It is important that if at any point you experience any symptoms, to seek medical attention. If left untreated, heart disease can be fatal. If detected early, heart disease can be treated with medication or surgery. If at any point you feel that you have just experienced a heart attack, seek help immediately. The sooner you seek treatment, the less likely you are to have heart damage. This is especially true for women. According to Heart Healthy Women, many women tend to wait before seeking treatment after having a heart attack, which is why the damage that is done is greater for women than for men.

Resources

• Surviving a Heart Attack
• Heart Failure