According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most people die of heart disease in the United States. In fact, every 1 in 4 deaths is caused because of a heart problem. This means only within the US; 610,000 people die from this each year. Of course, heart problems do not discriminate- they can affect anyone, including white people, Hispanics, and Black people. According to some research, the number of people experiencing heart problems is rapidly rising. It must be kept in mind that heart disease is deadly. However, it can also be prevented if you notice the signs early on.
Below are some of the top signs of a heart problem. If you notice the onset of symptoms earlier, you can make some lifestyle changes to ensure that you live longer and your heart gets healthier.
1. Chest Pain
The most obvious sign of a heart problem is heartache. However, many people don’t understand that this is a medical emergency.
If you suddenly start to feel unwell and that your chest is contracting, get someone to call an ambulance. A heart attack feels like heaviness, tightness, or pressure in the chest. In fact, people commonly also describe it by saying that an elephant sat on their chest or that a tight band was around their chest. The basic feeling is constriction.
If you feel pain in your chest when working out or exerting yourself, but notice that the pain goes away when you stop, don’t worry; this could be a condition called angina. However, make sure to show your doctor still.
2. Feeling of Sickness
Obviously, just because you feel nauseous does not mean that you have a heart problem. However, if you feel pain as well, you need to be careful. If you feel chest pain even when you are not doing anything except for sitting and notice yourself feeling sick at the same time, you may have a heart problem.
Remember, a heart problem can also feel like discomfort. It does not always have to be intense pain. If this happens, consult a doctor as soon as you can.
3. Stomach Pain
Did you know that the heart and the stomach are interlinked? The truth is that the heart, the pathway between the mouth and the stomach, and the stomach itself lie extremely close to one another.
Hence, it is common for doctors to confuse indigestion and burning pain with heart pain. However, if you have any doubt, the best thing is to consult a professional. The chances are that your doctor will give you a set of algorithms to rule out heart pain. However, each person is different, and the same algorithm may not apply to them. The best thing to do is conduct some heart tests to be sure.
