Top signs and symptoms of an unhealthy heart you shouldn't ignore
If you are finding it hard to breathe while climbing stairs or in the middle of the night, it's not a good sign for your heart. A cardiologist on other warning signs of an unhealthy heart.
Heart attacks in people under 40 have increased dramatically in the recent past and factors like sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy food choices and Covid's side-effects on heart have most often been attributed for this unfortunate trend. There are factors that are beyond our control like family history but one can always make lifestyle changes to prevent heart ailments and even chronic diseases that can have an indirect impact on the heart. If you are finding it hard to breathe while climbing stairs or in the middle of the night, it's time to get a check-up done. Also swelling in your leg or fainting like episodes are other indicators of an unhealthy heart and must not be ignored. (Also read: Heart health: Lifestyle changes for kids to prevent heart attacks later in life)
Stress in the modern lifestyle is increasingly becoming a risk factor for heart attacks and with advancement in technology, people are turning less active than before. It is important to stay active throughout the day even when your job is sedentary in nature. Walking as much as possible, taking stairs whenever you can, sleeping on time, eating healthy and staying away from tobacco and alcohol can help your heart stay healthy.
Dr. Vijay Kumar, Director - Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla, New Delhi shares with us top signs and symptoms of an healthy heart that you should not ignore.
Trouble in breathing upon physical exertion
If you have symptoms like shortness of breath or pain in the chest, palpitation with physical exertion, then these indicates high possibility of having a heart disease.
Shortness of breath in middle of the night
If you are waking up at night, and due to sudden happening of shortness of breath which gets better on sitting up, then there is a possibility of heart disease.
Swelling in leg or trouble while climbing stairs
If you notice shortness of breath on walking or while climbing stairs, swelling in the leg, you could be having a heart ailment related to valvular heart disease or weak heart muscles.
Family history
If you have strong family history of heart disease or risk factors like bad cholesterol, bad sugar levels, high blood pressure then there is a increased chance that your heart could be unhealthy.
Fainting episodes
If you have symptoms of fainting like episodes then heart disease should be ruled out.
Chest pain or heaviness
If you suddenly having severe chest pain or heaviness or burning in the central part of the chest, radiating to the jaws/left arm and the discomfort is increasing with time, then it generally indicates an evolving heart attack and cardiac consultation should be done
Fatigue
Easy fatiguability, shortness of breath on little exertion should also alarm the possibility of heart disease.
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