It’s never a good idea to ignore any physical health warnings your body gives out and that advice becomes even more vital when it could be a sign that you have a problem with your heart.
Here is a look at some of the classic symptoms that could be highlighting a potential issue with your heart function that needs checking with a medical professional right away.
Sometimes there are subtle signs that something is wrong, plus you have to remember that men and women can have different symptoms, so if you are feeling more tired than exhausted, have a persistent cough, or find it painful to walk, these are some of the signs that your body’s warning you of a problem.
More tired than usual?
We can all feel tired after a busy few days but that is nothing a good sleep shouldn’t be able to fix but if you are beyond tired and on the verge of what you could call exhaustion, it could be a sign that you are not getting enough oxygen to your body. If your heart is finding it difficult to deliver the amount of oxygen your body needs this will make you feel extremely tired.
It doesn’t mean you have a heart problem because you are tired, but this is a classic example of how you can dismiss a subtle sign that is pointing to something more serious.
Are your feet swelling too?
If you are suffering from fatigue and also notice that your feet have swollen and you are feeling short of breath, these three factors combined could be heart-related foot swelling and can occur when your heart valve is not closing normally.
Don’t ignore a problem with swollen feet, it could be something else entirely but it is always best to get a professional opinion when you notice this happening to you.
A cough that won’t go away
Coughs and colds are not exactly unusual medical symptoms but how long you have had the cough for and what you are coughing up could provide pointers towards something more serious going on. If you are suffering from a persistent cough that refuses to go away and you are producing a white or pink mucus with it, that could be a sign that your heart is failing to meet the demands of your body and blood could be leaking into your lungs. This is a definite sign of a problem with your heart and you might want to consider a walk-in option like Our Urgent Care to get a professional opinion as quickly as possible.
Painful to walk
It can be all too easy to dismiss aching bones and general joint pain as part of the aging process and nothing more sinister than that. It is perfectly normal to feel the effects of old age in that way from time to time, but if you find that your hip and leg muscles cramp when you are walking or climbing, but immediately feel better after a rest, it is potentially a sign of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
PAD occurs as a result of a buildup of fatty plaque in your leg arteries, which is strongly linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
As a general rule, if you have PAD there is about a 50/50 chance that you could be suffering from a blockage in one of your heart arteries.
PAD is a treatable condition so get your pain checked out to see if it is not just aching bones from getting older.
Heartburn or indigestion?
You can see why it can be difficult to pinpoint a heart problem immediately when you have symptoms that could be just down to a bit of over-indulgence, but heartburn, indigestion, nausea, and stomach pain are also symptoms that can occur during a heart attack. Women are more prone to these symptoms than men. The general suggestion is that if you have already been told about some heart problems and then suffer these symptoms, it makes good sense to get yourself checked over.
No time to waste if you experience cold sweats
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms already mentioned or other physical issues that don’t feel right to you plus you’re experiencing cold sweats, this is a big red flag that a heart attack might be imminent. If you have got to that point it is advisable to ask someone to take you for urgent medical attention rather than attempt to drive yourself there.
Georgia Hayward works in the medical profession. She writes insightful articles for a number of health related blogs.
