Heart Disease: Know the Signs and Symptoms

Heart disease isn't a silent time bomb waiting to explode and destroy your life, although it can certainly play out that way. There are often subtle signs prior to that "you hear me Elizabeth...I'm coming for you" moment. Knowledge of these signs can save critical time if that dreaded event does occur, or better yet may even prevent such an occasion.

Not everyone experiences heart disease exactly the same. Most people are the exact opposite of dear Sanford clutching his chest and screaming for Elizabeth. Many suffer in silence, ignoring the early warning signs. Discuss any of the following symptoms with your doctor and don't be afraid that you may be "crying wolf". When it comes to your heart it is far better to make a little Sanford-inspired noise than to be sorry.

Difficulty Breathing

Shortness of breath is normal in certain situations, but a sudden change in breathing indicates potential trouble. If you never got short of breath climbing the stairs and now you do, call your doctor. Breathing difficulty from a cardiac is rapid and shallow and does not improve with slow deliberate breathes. If you experience new difficulty breathing, or find yourself trying to catch your breath while doing normal activity, schedule an immediate appointment with your doctor.

Chest Pain

The second most common symptom of heart disease is chest pain. Not all pain in the chest is due to heart disease; muscles, joints, cartilage, the esophagus, the gallbladder, the lungs or pinched nerves can all generate chest pain. Trying to interpret the source of your own chest pain, however, can be a deadly error. Chest pain while resting, squeezing pain in the middle of the chest, pain lasting more than two minutes, chest pain accompanied with fainting, nausea or palpitations, or pain coupled with any of the other heart disease symptoms warrants a visit to the emergency room.

Edema

Another commonly ignored sign of heart disease is edema. Edema- swelling or water retention around the ankles, legs, chest or eyes, can be caused by long periods of standing or activity, high salt intake, kidney disease, medication or a heart issue. Edema always indicates some sort of imbalance and although not a medical emergency in of itself, should be discussed with a physician.

Fatigue

Fatigue is a vague and frustrating patient complaint. The fatigue associated with heart disease is distinct from other forms of fatigue in that it increases over the course of the day and may feel like heaviness or weakness in the legs. Any sudden fatigue should prompt you to call your doctor for an immediate exam.

While these symptoms are only the most common they are by no means the only symptoms of heart disease. Any new pain or symptom is your body's way of telling you that something is wrong. The bottom line is to know the language of your own body and listen before it needs to send you a screaming message.