11 Warning Signs That You Need To Take Care Of Your Heart Better

Jul 23, 2018

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that heart disease kills more than half a million people each year. Although the leading cause of death throughout the country, it is sometimes preventable. Below are some signs that you may be developing heart problems.

Sleeping lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. Not sleeping enough affects the heart muscle. It also can create a number of health problems including higher blood pressure. This, in turn, puts you at greater risk of a heart attack. Sleep apnea, in which you wake up several times in the night, can also increase your risk of a heart attack, and a study found that men with sleep apnea were over 50 percent more likely to suffer from congestive heart failure.

Skin conditions, including shingles and eczema, suggest a greater likelihood that a person will have heart problems. According to one study, eczema sufferers were almost 50 percent more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and nearly 30 percent more likely to have high levels of cholesterol. These both can lead to heart disease.

If your heart or lungs are not functioning properly, you might experience shortness of breath or a shaky feeling. You should see a doctor if everyday activities suddenly start to cause shortness of breath.

Everyone sweats when it's hot, but unusual sweating, such as cold sweats or excessive sweating may indicate heart disease. Some women may attribute excessive sweating to hot flashes and not realize they are having heart problems or a heart attack.

Your heart may be deficient in blood if your chest feels tight. A tight chest during exertion could mean you have angina which can lead to a form of heart disease. Chest pain that does not go away could be a heart attack in progress.

If your heartbeat is irregular, it could be an arrhythmia. The chambers of your heart might not be contracting normally, and this could indicate heart disease.

Arm pain as an indicator of heart disease or a heart attack happens when the pain in the heart transmits to the spinal cord. From here, the pain transmitters incorrectly signal arm pain.

A good diet is essential for good health, including good heart health. However, if you have been under a great deal of stress, you may have found yourself unable to eat. Nausea and trouble digesting may mean you need to start taking better care of your heart and yourself.

Blood vessels leak when the heart is not functioning properly. This causes swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles. While all swelling does not indicate a heart problem, if you suffer from other symptoms in this list as well, you might want to talk to a doctor.

Fatigue can be a sign of anemia which can also be a risk factor for heart problems. Increasing iron levels can help with anemia. Fatigue can also indicate a heart condition, so a person suffering from unexplained fatigue should see a doctor.

Coughing because of allergy, a cold or flu is nothing to be alarmed about. However, if you have a persistent, unexplained cough, particularly accompanied by pink phlegm, it could indicate a heart problem.

It is important to take good care of your heart, and part of that is being aware of these types of symptoms so you can get further treatment. Leave a comment to tell us what some of your other healthy living habits are.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation with your doctor. Your health is important to us!