Nobody wants to have any type of heart issue. As it is a crucial part of our body, we are willing to do whatever it takes to keep our hearts working properly. You eat healthily and you try to stick to a workout routine to keep it pumping. But how do we know if all that we do work? How can we tell that our hearts are okay? Before you rush yourself to the nearest hospital and sign up for a heart checkup, take a look at these 10 simple ways to know you are having heart issues.
1. Look back and think if you have ever experienced any unexplainable chest pain
Sometimes, we suffer from minor chest pain after a hard workout. And sometimes it is just heartburn caused by the food we are digesting. So what kind of chest pain you should look for? Heart-related chest pains usually appear out of nowhere. You’re probably just sitting in a chair reading a book or even lying down on your bed watching TV when this type of chest pain attacks. This is the most common symptom of heart issues. When this happens to you, we highly recommend seeing a doctor immediately.
2. Check your heartbeat and look for strange or unusual rhythm
Our hearts work in a rhythm. When your body is in a relaxed mode, your heart should beat slow and steady. But when you work out or do something active, normally your heart rate should go up. Anything other than these patterns is considered unusual. If your heart suddenly beats hard or fast without any triggers, this could be a sign of heart issues.
Irregular heartbeat is another thing you need to consider. Your heart is an instrument that works through a certain pattern. Check your pulse and feel your heart’s rhythm. A normal heart should produce a steady rhythm. Keep in mind that a normal heart rate varies from one person to another. It depends on age, weight, and many other factors.
3. Dry cough that just won’t go away
A dry cough is a symptom of many illnesses and health problems. As a matter of fact, since December 2019, dry coughing has become a huge indicator of COVID 19. We tend to forget that dry coughing can also be related to heart issues. Dry cough that is a result of heart issues comes from tightness around your chest. When it becomes tighter and tighter, your body produces a cough-like motion as an attempt to “free” itself.
4. Your palms get cold sweats while doing nothing
Sweaty palms usually happen when you are feeling nervous. However, the same state can be produced by heart issues. Normally, sweats appear when there is a significant difference between our body temperature and the surrounding. This difference may be caused by weather changes or active motions. So when you’re not in any of those circumstances yet you sweat, don’t ignore the situation.
5. Sudden lightheaded
Our hearts’ main job is to pump blood to our entire body, including our head. When your heart is not doing its job well due to certain issues, some parts of your body might suffer from a lack of blood pressure. When this happens to your head, you will mostly be lightheaded quite often and suddenly. Imagine the feeling of blood rushing through your head but without the sudden move or any changes. That is the symptom you should look for.
6. Do you make a snoring-like noise while you are sleeping?
Snoring is mostly a sign of breathing or sinus problem. This type of snoring usually goes along with your breathing rhythm. The noises occur every time you inhale or exhale. These are normal, so to speak. These are not the ones you should pay attention to. Heart-related snoring is usually abrupt, short, and occurs only once or twice throughout the entire night of sleep. This noise is a result of a sudden lack of oxygen as your body stops breathing for a second. Sooner or later, this may cause bigger issues.
7. Swollen joints, such as your ankles
Swollen ankles can indicate many things. So, we cannot say for certain what kind of swelling you need to keep an eye on. These swellings come from disruption on your blood pressure. Regardless of what causes it, you should let a doctor check you. Never ignore any swollen joint problem, especially when it may be a result of a heart issue!
8. Have you had any throat pain with a choking sensation?
Same as dry coughing, this type of pain around your throat is caused by tightness in your chest. This may occur after a series of dry coughing. In some cases, it occurs before or even without any existence of dry coughing. These two symptoms are related, but not necessarily mean they have to coincide. Plan a visit to the hospital whenever your breathing feels restricted and you don’t have any history of asthma.
9. Jaw pain unrelated to teeth issues
As strange as it sounds, jaw pain can be a symptom of heart issues. The tightness around the chest caused by heart defects does not always produce chest pains. Sometimes, it attacks other parts of your body. The most common is your left arm. But your jaw and even your back may suffer from the same attack. Never underestimate unexplainable pains even though you don’t think it has anything to do with your heart.
10. You get tired easily
First of all, let’s not confuse tiredness with sleepiness. They are similar and related but not the same. Tiredness is common after a long day of work or a series of workouts. It is also common to feel tired when you recently change your lifestyle. It can be something as simple as moving to a new place. However, when your routine does not change and you have not been involved in any workout related activities, you should not feel so tired. If this problem occurs, there is no harm in making an appointment with the nearest cardiologist.
Conclusion
These are the 10 most common symptoms you should look for if you are wondering whether or not you have heart issues. That being said, many of these symptoms can be caused by other illnesses and health problems. Something as simple as stress can cause most of them. Before you start panicking, it is wise to just take deep breaths and improve your quality of life. The happier you are, the less likely you will have heart issues.
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