Heart Disease

Heart Disease: Signs and Symptoms You Should Be Aware Of

There are many different kinds of heart diseases. These may from congestive heart failure to heart attack and coronary artery disease. While each type of heart disease requires unique treatment protocol, most have similar signs and symptoms. If you learn to recognize heart disease symptoms, you will know when to visit your doctor. This ensures accurate diagnosis and prompt treatment.

If you think you have a heart disease or are worried about your risk to heart disease, contact the specialists to make an appointment at  Trinity Medical Group. These highly trained and knowledgeable specialists can help reduce the risk of developing heart disease and also treat existing heart conditions with state-of-the-art treatment protocols.

Symptoms of CAD (Coronary Artery Disease)

The most common and noticeable symptom of CAD is chest pain. The pain is like a heavy pressure being exerted on your chest. Unfortunately, many people mistake angina, or chest pain, for heartburn and indigestion and this prevents them from seeking prompt medical attention.

Other symptoms of CAD include:

•    Palpitations
•    Sweating
•    Shortness of breath
•    Nausea
•    Elevated heart rate
•    Dizziness
•    Weakness

Symptoms of Heart Attack

Taking proper care and getting treatment during the early stages itself is the key to good prognosis. That is why knowing heart attack symptoms will allow you to get emergency medical care, thereby minimizing heart damage and improving prognosis.

•    Pain and discomfort in the chest, below the breast bone and/or along the left arm
•    Indigestion or feeling of fullness that is similar to a heartburn
•    Vomiting
•    Nausea
•    Pain radiating to the jaw, arm, back and throat from the chest
•    Shortness of breath
•    Sweating
•    Dizziness
•    Fast heart beat

These symptoms can last 30 minutes or longer and they will not disappear with medication or rest. Typically, the pain associated with a heart attack begins as a mild discomfort, but progresses to severe. Some people, who have a heart attack, do not experience any symptoms. This is known as myocardial infarction and is common among diabetics.

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure

It is prudent to note that congestive heart failure symptoms are not always related to how weak the heart is. Some people experience many symptoms but their heart is mildly weak. There are others, who do not have any symptom, but have a badly damaged heart.

•    Shortness of breath while doing physical activity
•    Shortness of breath while resting, in particular while lying in bed
•    Rapid and unexplainable weight gain
•    Fatigue
•    Edema of the ankles, abdomen and legs
•    Dizziness
•    Palpitations
•    Nausea
•    Cough with white sputum
•    Irregular heart beats
•    Chest pain

The Bottom Line

Heart disease can be fatal. Hence, if you have chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath, seek emergency medical attention. Treatment has a higher rate of success when heart disease is detected early.