Warning Signs of Heart Disease that You Shouldn't Ignore

Years before it may actually attack you, major heart disease is, like many things, preceded by a warning to those it strikes. Fatal problems can occur if these signs are not recognized early on and preventative measures employed. Unfortunately, these signs are often ignored or thought of as “other problems”. Common symptoms of heart disease are chest pain, high blood pressure, shortness of breath and leg swelling. Never ignore any of these signs especially if heart problems run in your family. Rather, be cautious, and report to your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms are persistent.

Learning the early signs of heart disease with a discussion of the symptoms could help in understanding the consequences if you put off going to a doctor right away, if you indeed think there is a problem.

A common sign of heart disease can be described by pain or tightness in the chest and is called Angina. This pain may last for a couple of minutes or possibly keep returning after intervals. Often, chest pains are related to indigestion or heartburn; note that if the angina, or tightness, happens when you are at rest, it could be an indicator that an attack may occur soon. Sudden shortness of breath is another sign to pay attention to. Again, you should report all signs of chest pain right away to your doctor.

Persistent shortness of breath is another good reason to see your doctor, especially if you are walking up and down stairs or doing light activities that are not so physical, and getting out of breath.

Swelling in the legs could be another imminent sign of heart disease. This is known as Edema, and often is an indicator of a heart disease. Other serious signs of heart disease are high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Regular check-ups of your blood pressure and cholesterol are necessary in the prevention of heart disease and can be treated through medications. If there is a history of family heart problems, and you are experiencing the signs mentioned above, early detection is your best chance to give yourself a better life. This means getting to your family doctor early so that the proper medication can be administered, and help prevent the risk of a major heart problem.

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