5 Warning Signs That Indicate You May Have a Heart Disease

Heart diseases do not happen all of a sudden. They tend to creep in slowly in your life, with symptoms that are often ignored in the beginning. According to Dr. Sujay Shad, the best cardiac surgeon in India, as individuals enter their 40s, 50s, and beyond, it becomes essential to keep an eye on the warning signs, especially if you have a history of heart disease.

The early signs of heart disease can include chest pain, excessive sweating, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, etc. Any of these symptoms alone, particularly if occurring frequently, can be enough to warrant a visit to a cardiac doctor. Also, it is essential to understand that while chest pain is a common symptom of heart disease, men and women experience symptoms differently. Women are more likely to experience nausea, shortness of breath, and jaw pain.

This comprehensive guide will take a closer look at what heart diseases are and the common signs indicating that you have a heart disease.

What is a Heart Disease?

Heart disease is a collection of conditions that affect the heart and the blood flow to the heart. The conditions include:

• Blood vessel diseases such as coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Difficulty with blood flow leads to other problems such as heart attacks, heart failure, and angina, which is chest pain due to decreased blood flow
• Problems with heart rate or the rhythm of heartbeat, i.e., arrhythmia.

The symptoms can vary depending on the type of heart disease the individual has. In many cases, the patient may not have any symptoms in the earlier stages.

What are the Signs of Heart Disease?

Following are the early signs of heart disease:

1. Chest Pain

Chest pain varies from person to person. It is commonly described as a feeling of tightness in the center or the left side of the chest. It feels as if something is pressing the chest. Often, it can be accompanied by nausea and shortness of breath. Pain in chest can be a sign of health problems in other areas of the body, including nerves and bones, lungs, or gastrointestinal system. When it comes to the heart, it might be a sign of several conditions, such as:

• Coronary artery disease (blockage of the heart’s blood vessels)
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (a genetic disease causing thickening of the heart muscle)
• Mitral valve prolapse (a condition that prevents the heart valve from closing properly)
• Myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation)
• Pericarditis (inflammation in the sac around the heart).

If anyone experiences chest pain accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of breath or nausea, they must get in touch with a leading heart doctor. One can consider consulting Dr. Sujay Shad, a top-notch heart specialist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, top heart hospital in Delhi.

2. Excessive Sweating

Sweating after a good workout is common. But, if individuals find themselves sweating profusely when sitting on a couch or watching TV, then it could be a sign of concern. When the arteries become clogged, the heart is forced to work harder to keep the blood flowing. In response, the body sweats excessively to keep the temperature down. Night sweats are a common symptom in women with heart problems, though the symptom is often mistaken as a symptom of menopause.

3. Pain in Arms

Pain in the left arm is one of the most common signs of a heart attack. This is because the nerves that branch out of the heart share the same brain cells, which send signals to the arms. Pain in arms could even indicate angina, a heart problem caused by a clogged or narrowed coronary artery. Although the discomfort is most frequently felt in the left arm, it can also occur in the right arm or even both arms at the same time.

4. Pain in the Stomach or Indigestion

This refers to a general burning sensation in the stomach. One of the first things to consider is whether it occurs after you have eaten a meal. If so, it could only be heartburn, which is a common condition caused by stomach acids rising in the esophagus. It might lead to pain that radiates into the neck and higher. However, if the pain goes away in some time, it is likely to be unrelated to the heart. It can be a concern when the feeling comes on after physical exertion or hours after you had your meal. If the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as sweating or shortness of breath, then it could indicate a heart problem.

5. Shortness of Breath

Difficulty breathing or feeling breathless, especially during physical activity or when lying flat, can indicate heart problems such as heart failure or coronary artery disease.

Get in Touch With a Renowned Heart Specialist

If you are experiencing any signs of heart disease, contact Dr. Sujay Shad, a top heart specialist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital for evaluation and proper management.

The expert heart surgeon specializes in performing a range of heart procedures, such as aortic surgery, heart transplants, aortic dissection, coronary bypass surgery, heart valve surgery, and mitral valve repair in India.

For more details on any heart surgery and ways to keep your heart healthy, visit Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and consult heart specialist Dr. Sujay Shad!