15 Heart Disease Warning Signs You Are Most Likely To Ignore

Heart disease kills millions of men and women every year, especially women. According to the Center For Disease Control, women usually don't know the symptoms and thus fail to seek emergency medical attention. The following are 15 heart disease warning signs many people have fatally ignored.

1. Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath, while you are in a relaxed state or lying flat on your back is a cause for alarm. This means the heart is not pumping out blood effectively and blocking the blood vessels. This causes fluid to leak in the lungs, thus congesting them which makes it difficult to breathe.

2. Dizziness

Dizziness is pretty common for people with heart disease, which may be caused by abnormal heart functions and heart rhythm, or narrowing of the valves. Dizziness can also indicate a drop in blood pressure.

3. Fainting

Fainting is also an indication of heart disease, especially when it happens with exercise or is associated with heart irregularities. Low blood pressure and insufficient blood flow to the brain can always cause a temporary loss of consciousness.

4. Chest Pains And Discomfort

Any chest pains or discomfort shouldn't be ignored, though some possible causes are not that serious. But some are indeed life threatening. One way to know for sure is to have a doctor examine you to rule out any serious heart conditions.

5. Sweating

6. Exhaustion

People who feel tired all the time for no good reason and have difficulty doing ordinary tasks, like walking, can possibly have heart disease. The reason why you feel exhausted is that the amount of blood that reaches tissues and muscles ris educed, but more blood gets pumped to more vital organs, like the heart and the brain.

7. Swelling in Legs, Feet, and Ankles

Swelling in legs, feet and ankles is caused by a fluid accumulation in the body, which indicates that there is a heart problem that's worsening over time. The fluid buildup is caused by the decreased blood flow from the heart, to the veins, then back to the heart again. This causes fluid accumulation in the lower limbs.

8. Cough That Doesn't Go Away

A dry and persistent cough can very well be a sign of heart disease if you're also experiencing other symptoms of heart disease. Watch out for white or pink mucus, because this is a sign that the heart can't keep up, causing blood to seep back into lungs.

9. Sleeping Troubles

If you have trouble sleeping because of shortness of breath when you're lying down, this can be an indication of heart disease. This is because when there's a problem with the heart, fluid tends to build up in the lungs and surrounding tissues, you end up waking up gasping for air.

10. Rapid Weight Gain

If you watch what you eat but still continue to gain weight and experience swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet in the meantime, this can be a sign of heart disease.

11. Indigestion

Indigestion is a common occurrence and is not a cause for alarm. But when coupled with other heart disease symptoms like heartburn, shortness of breath, and weakness, it can be something you need to check with your doctor.

12. Palpitations

There are many causes of palpitations, like strong emotions, intense physical activities, medical conditions, etc. But they can also be caused by an underlying heart condition. Go to a doctor if you experience other symptoms of heart disease together with palpitations.

13. Pain from the Neck to the Navel

When you have upper body pain or discomfort, especially one that starts from the neck to the naval, together with other heart disease symptoms like shortness of breath, you might be having a heart attack.

14. Lightheaded

You feel lightheaded when your heart beat is irregular, and it decreases the blood supply to the brain. This can be a symptom of a heart attack.

15. Back or Abdominal Pain

When you experience back or abdominal pain with other symptoms of heart disease, it's not something you should ignore.