There are several symptoms of heart disease. Considering that heart disease is a very common problem, which can be very dangerous – something that may result in death also, it is very important for you to be aware of the different signs that may indicate this problem. Here is a brief rundown on some of the health conditions that you should be very careful about. If you experience one of the following symptoms, you should pay a visit to your doctor.
Shortness Of Breath
Shortness of breath is one of the major symptoms of heart disease. You may experience it when lying flat on your back. Besides that, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea is also very common - a condition where you suddenly wake up at night gasping for breathe. However, it can happen because of other medical conditions as well, such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and emphysema. You must always take this symptom seriously and consult your doctor immediately.
Somnolence, Lethargy, And Fatigue
Somnolence refers to daytime sleepiness while fatigue and lethargy refers to your inability to continue functioning at your normal level. These symptoms are very common in patients with heart disease. You may also experience narcolepsy during the daytime – a condition where you find yourself suddenly asleep.
Dizziness, Lightheadedness, And Loss Of Consciousness
Fainting or sudden and temporary loss of consciousness (syncope) indicates several medical conditions that can be grouped into four major categories, including cardiac, vasomotor, metabolic, and neurologic. The cardiac syncope is the most dangerous condition, as it may even lead to sudden death. Syncope or dizziness and lightheadedness may not necessarily always indicate a heart problem, but you must consult your doctor immediately whenever you experience it.
Palpitations
Palpitation is one of the common symptoms of heart disease. It is a condition when the heartbeats are unusually very fast or irregular. In most cases, people with heart disease often experience a pause in the heartbeat followed by a particularly strong beat.
Chest Discomfort Or Pain
Chest discomfort or chest pain is a highly alarming symptom. Chest discomfort may also be described as numbness, choking, squeezing, pressure, pain, and any other discomfort in the chest. However, often the discomfort is not limited to just the chest but is also associated with the pain or discomfort in arms, head, jaw, upper abdomen, and even neck. The frequency and intensity may also vary largely from one person to another. For example, it can occur predictably, sporadically, rarely, or frequently. Likewise, it may last for just a couple of seconds, or minutes, or hours, or days, or even weeks. However, like with other symptoms, this condition may also happen because of several causes. But, considering the very fact that heart disease is a very common problem and can be life threatening, you are strongly recommended to consult a doctor immediately whenever you experience it.
Other common symptoms of heart disease include memory problems, headache, depression, cyanosis (bluish skin discoloration), breathing problems, balance problems, appetite loss, skipped beats, weight loss, tachycardia (fast heart beat), and others.