Heart Health: Recognising Early Signs of Cardiovascular Issues

When we think of heart health, we often picture an intense set of symptoms, like intense chest pain or trouble breathing. The early symptoms of heart disease are often so subtle that we may not even realize there are symptoms at all. Symptoms such as sudden fatigue, occasional light headedness, or fatigue following very mild exercise may appear to be nothing at all, but each of these could be serious problems indicating your heart is unhealthy. 

If you do have some combination of symptoms, they could mean you have an undiagnosed condition like atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, or even a heightened risk of heart attack. Knowing what to separate normal from and the early warning signs of heart disease is a massive initial step towards avoiding serious complications. Research indicates that as much as 80% of heart disease may be preventable if it is detected early, accompanied by new and sustained healthy practices such as a balanced diet and regular exercise. 

By being aware of these early symptoms and further taking heart-healthy precautions, you can really see progress in helping to protect your heart and become healthier. It is crucial to remain aware and discuss things with professionals when necessary, and preventive care really can help with managing and avoiding heart disease.

What Is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term that encompasses numerous different conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Conditions may take years to develop, or occur suddenly, and can go from being very mild to being chronic, to being life-threatening emergencies.

Some of the more prevalent types of cardiovascular disease are:

• Coronary artery disease – narrowing or obstruction of arteries that provide blood to the heart.
• Atrial fibrillation (AF) – this abnormal heart rhythm may raise your risk of stroke.
• Heart failure – when your heart is no longer effective at pumping blood.
• Heart valve issues – when one or more of your heart valves are not opening or closing properly.
• Peripheral artery disease – this impacts circulation in the limbs, most commonly the legs.

The good news? Most of these conditions can be prevented or managed with knowledge and action.

Why Early Detection Matters

Your heart labors hard for you—why not reward it for its due diligence? Most cardiovascular disease develops and progresses over years, and so you may have the opportunity to identify the problem early enough to modify your lifestyle, track the condition, or manage it.

Disregarding early symptoms can result in:

• Irreversible injury to the heart muscle
• Increased danger of stroke or cardiac arrest
• Long-term disability or poorer quality of life
• Heeding your body and acting on what you hear may just save your life.

Early Symptoms of Heart Disease: What to Watch For

Knowing what is normal for your body makes it simple to recognize when something is not right. Although symptoms may vary for each individual, there are a few more usual things to look out for:

1. Chest Discomfort

This is one of the more prevalent symptoms of heart trouble. Yet, chest discomfort does not necessarily feel the same as chest pain. 

It might feel like:

• Pressure, squeezing, or discomfort in the chest
• Pain that travels to the arm, neck, jaw, or back
• Discomfort with exercise that resolves with rest

If you have any of these symptoms (particularly if it is new or worsened), think twice.

2. Unexplained Shortness of Breath

Struggling to breathe when you haven’t even made an effort? Shortness of breath can be an indication of heart failure or blockage of your heart valves. Breathlessness can also set in more seriously when resting on your back or sleeping.

3. Fatigue

Fatigue hits all of us, but this is another level of fatigue.

You may also:

• Have trouble getting household chores done around the house that used to be easy for you to do
• Be tired after a full night’s sleep
• Feel weakness in the extremities, or a heaviness in the body

Chronic fatigue is usually one of the lesser obvious signs that your heart is not performing as well as it should.

4. Palpitations or Irregular Heartbeat

If your heart is pounding, skipping a beat, or fluttering for no reason, it might be more than just nerves or caffeine. Atrial fibrillation is a prevalent arrhythmia and may feel like this:

• A fluttery feeling in the chest
• A thumping or racing heart
• Dizziness, chest pain, or anxiety with rhythm changes

Even if it is just for a matter of seconds, you must get yourself checked.

5. Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet

If, at the end of the day, your feet or ankles are swollen, it could be a sign that your heart is having a difficult time pumping your blood. Often, your lower limbs will retain water when the heart is not pumping correctly.

6. Dizziness or Light-Headedness

Dizziness, light-headedness, or feeling faint when standing up quickly may be due to poor blood circulation or an irregular heartbeat.

7. Persistently Coughing

Ongoing cough that doesn’t seem connected to a cold or allergens may suggest water building up in the lungs, especially if it becomes more intense when lying down, or accompanied by wheezing or pink, frothy mucus.

What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and Why Does It Matter?

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a significant condition. It is one of the most common types of heart rhythm problems (also called arrhythmia). AF results in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) failing to beat in synchrony and rhythm with the lower chambers of the heart. 

The symptoms people may feel with AF may include: 

• An irregular, fast, slow or inconsistent pulse (Heart Rate)
• Shortness of Breath
• Easy Fatigability
• Dizziness or faintness

It is important to catch AF early, as it can cause blood clots to form in the heart, from where they can travel to the brain, causing a stroke.  

There are options for AF management; usually with a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, or procedures that either help control the heart rate and/or help regulate the heart rhythm.

When Should You Speak to a Doctor?

As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Schedule an appointment with your GP or a cardiologist if you have:

• Chest discomfort that is intermittent
• An irregular, fast or slow heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing during light activities
• Dizziness or faintness without explanation
• Record fatigue or swelling in your arms or legs

Be as honest and straightforward as you can about how you feel and when that may occur. Anyone in the medical profession worthy of your attention is going to pay close attention and not brush you off.

Diagnosis: What to Expect

If your doctor thinks you may be experiencing a cardiovascular issue, they may recommend a number of simple tests, such as:

• Blood pressure checks – to assess your risk of cardiovascular disease
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) – assesses the heart’s electrical activity
• Echocardiogram – a scan to observe how your heart works
• Blood tests – to assess your cholesterol, inflammation or damage to the heart
• Holter monitor – a portable device which monitors your heartbeat over 24–48 hours
• Stress test – assess how your heart performs with physical activity

These tests are not painful, and are often quick and will provide valuable information about the health of your heart.

Ways to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

Even though you have no symptoms, being proactive about your heart health is one of the best things you can do for your long-term health. The old saying “prevention is better than cure” has never been more accurate, and it is often easier than we think.

• Follow a Heart-Healthy Diet
• What you eat has a large impact on your cardiovascular system. Try to focus on:
• Eating plenty of fruit and veg (5 a day is the target)
• Whole grains (whole grain bread, oatmeal, brown rice) rather than white carbohydrates (white bread, rice, and pasta)
• Lean protein (chicken, fish, beans, lentils)
• Healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds)
• Reducing salt, sugar, and saturated fat

Make more meals at home from scratch, and try to reduce as much processed food as possible!

Become Active

Regular activity helps to keep your heart healthy, regulate your blood pressure and cholesterol. Aim for:

• At least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week (i.e. brisk walking, biking)
• Twice a week of resistance or strength-based exercises
• An activity that you enjoy and can maintain for the long term

Stop Smoking

Smokers have damaged blood vessels, which significantly increases the risk of heart disease. It’s never too late to quit—plus the benefits will be felt almost immediately.

Limit Alcohol Intake

Alcohol in excess can elevate blood pressure and add undue stress to your heart. Try to maintain moderate levels of alcohol intake and have some alcohol-free days during the week.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Extra weight increases the stress on your heart, along with raising cholesterol, blood pressure, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Aim for a balanced approach to weight loss, and seek help if necessary.

Know Your Stress

Long-term ongoing stress doesn’t just impact your mood; it impacts your heart. Look for healthy ways to relax, such as:

• Meditation or breathing exercises
• Walking in nature
• Speaking to someone you trust
• Ensuring you are getting rest and sleep

Keep Up with Regular Health Checks

Regular visits and assessments with your GP can detect potential risks such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure before they turn into big problems.

Living with Heart Disease

If you have already been diagnosed with heart disease, it is not the end of the road. Many people go on to lead normal and active lives with the proper management plan. 

Things for daily self-care: 

• Take your medication exactly as prescribed
• Follow up and monitor appointments
• Follow a heart-healthy diet and get moving
• Educate yourself about your condition so you can manage it along with your doctor
• Ask for help, support from family/friends, or support groups can help

The more informed and prepared you are, the more positive your outcomes. 

Myth Busters Around Heart Disease

One of the myths surrounding heart disease is that it only affects older people. The truth is, anyone can have heart disease, and it is even more common if you lead an unhealthy lifestyle and have poor eating habits, do not exercise, or smoke cigarettes. It is another common myth that you will know if something is wrong with your heart. 

Many symptoms, however, can be vague (fatigue, shortness of breath, mild discomfort in your chest) and are often ignored, which is why annual physicals are important. Heart disease myths also extend to the belief that women should not be as concerned about heart disease. While women’s symptoms differ from men’s (and they usually are not recognized as being as serious), they should be taken just as seriously. 

Finally, while most people experience heart palpitations, it can occasionally mean that there is a heart problem; always have palpitations evaluated by a health professional out of an abundance of caution.

Conclusion

If you are noticing any of the symptoms related to heart disease, don’t wait for a complete emergency to occur. Your heart continues to need urgent and good-quality care. At Dispur Polyclinic and Hospitals, our cardiologists are ready to evaluate, diagnose and treat you so that you can understand your heart health before it’s too late. 

Call us at +91-8822669275 or visit us. 

Protect your heart because prevention is better than cure.