What Are At Least 3 Early Warning Signs of Heart Disease?
- Posted on: May 26 2024
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans are diagnosed with heart disease. Knowing the most common early warning signs of heart disease can help you identify your symptoms and receive the necessary medical treatment as soon as possible.
Not all heart conditions have clear warning signs. Many of the early warning signs of heart disease can easily be attributed to other causes, such as stomach aches, the flu, or simply getting older. If you have questions about some of the symptoms you’ve experienced, the best thing you can do is to schedule an appointment with a doctor.
Three Early Signs of Heart Disease
1. Chest Discomfort or Pain
Chest pain is one of the most important symptoms a person can experience. If you have a blocked artery, you could feel pressure, tightness, or pain in your chest. Sometimes, people with heart conditions feel like an elephant is sitting on them. Others say they experience a burning or pinching feeling. If you experience brief pain or palpitations, it’s still important to schedule an appointment with a doctor. If you’re experiencing more severe symptoms, don’t hesitate to call 911.
2. Changes to Your Skin
Our skin is the largest organ in our bodies, and it can often tell us when a medical condition is developing. Multiple skin conditions can indicate early heart disease. If you notice that your feet and lower legs are much more swollen than normal, it could be a sign that your heart isn’t pumping enough blood. As the fluid builds up, you may see swelling in your lower legs or even up to your groin area.
Some patients with early heart disease begin to develop a purple net-like pattern on their skin that can indicate that they have a blocked artery. Certain medications and coldness can cause a net-like pattern on a person’s skin. However, the pattern can also be caused when small arteries become blocked, a sign of heart disease. Other individuals experience yellowish waxy growth on their skin, curved nails, or painful lumps on their fingers, toes, or both. If you’ve noticed any significant changes to your skin, it’s crucial that you visit a doctor as soon as possible.
3. Fatigue and Swelling
It could be an early warning sign of heart disease if you’ve noticed that you’ve been feeling fatigued after engaging in physical activities. For example, suppose you usually climb a staircase at work with no problems, but lately, you’ve been winded, and it’s been difficult to catch your breath after walking up the stairs.
In that case, fatigue could be a symptom of early heart disease. Many medical conditions cause fatigue, so it is essential to speak to a doctor who can examine you and help you determine the cause. Unexplained weakness and extreme exhaustion are some of the most common early symptoms of heart disease, especially for women.
Schedule a Heart Check-Up at Cardiovascular Wellness
Caring for our hearts is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves. Many Americans have early heart disease and may not even know it. Early interventions can be extremely helpful when it comes to heart disease. Whether you have noticed one or more of the symptoms of early heart disease or you just like to check up on your heart, don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Ameeta Walia of Cardiovascular Wellness in Long Island to schedule an appointment.
Posted in: Heart Disease
