Tuesday, June 16, 2015

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AND THEIR SYMPTOMS

Dear reader, we know you are very busy. You have a lot in your to-do list and you've not even gone half way. But taking few minutes out of your time to read this might help you save yourself and others. It's about the health the heart.


Why Should You Be Concerned?
Either you are a man or woman, rich or poor, everyone r

uns the risk of having one heart disease or the other. This is because heart diseases have many causes. Overworking or not working at all, overweight, obesity, high glucose level or low glucose level all can increase the risk of getting a heart disease.

 Hypertension is one dreadful factor of heart attack. In Nigeria  alone, according to research over 40% of the population is hypertensive and 60% of Nigerians who are hypertensive don't even know they have it. I personally have seen more people slump and die in the past 3 than I've seen in previous years.
Cardiovascular Disease can be inherited. So even if one is living a healthy lifestyle , (s)he can still suffer from a heart related disease. 


Not a Death Sentence
Yes, bad news. I, you and everyone else can suffer this but that doesn't mean we are all sentenced to early death. Many out there are living with this and they are just fine. Just like any disease, early detection of Cardiovascular Disease can save you from lot of crisis. With early detection, all it may cost you is a change in lifestyle, a change of diet, some supplements or maybe visiting the hospital periodically for checkups.

Having said that, below are some common heart diseases and their symptoms.
Coronary Artery Disease
The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina may also be felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back.
Other symptoms of coronary artery disease include:
·         Shortness of breath
·         Palpitations (irregular heartbeats, or a "flip-flop" feeling in your chest)
·         A faster heartbeat
·         Weakness or dizziness
·         Nausea
·         Sweating
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Symptoms of a heart attack can include:
·         Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm, or below the breastbone
·         Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm
·         Fullness, indigestion, or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
·         Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness
·         Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath
·         Rapid or irregular heartbeats
During a heart attack, symptoms typically last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or oral medications. Initial symptoms may start as a mild discomfort that progresses to significant pain.
Some people have a heart attack without having any symptoms, which is known as a "silent" myocardial infarction (MI). It occurs more often in people with diabetes.
If you think you are having a heart attack, DO NOT DELAY. Call for emergency help (dial 911 in most areas). Immediate treatment of a heart attack is very important to lessen the amount of damage to your heart.
Symptoms of Arrhythmias
When symptoms of arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rhythm, are present, they may include:
·         Palpitations (a feeling of skipped heart beats, fluttering or "flip-flops" in your chest)
·         Pounding in your chest
·         Dizziness or feeling light-headed
·         Fainting
·         Shortness of breath
·         Chest discomfort
·         Weakness or fatigue (feeling very tired)

Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease
Symptoms of heart valve disease may include:
·         Shortness of breath and/or difficulty catching your breath; you may notice this most when you are doing your normal daily activities or when you lie down flat in bed.
·         Weakness or dizziness
·         Discomfort in your chest; you may feel a pressure or weight in your chest with activity or when going out in cold air.
·         Palpitations (this may feel like a rapid heart rhythm, irregular heartbeat, skipped beats, or a flip-flop feeling in your chest.)
If valve disease causes heart failure, symptoms may include:
·         Swelling of your ankles or feet; swelling may also occur in your abdomen, which may cause you to feel bloated.
·         Quick weight gain (a weight gain of two or three pounds in one day is possible.)
Symptoms of heart valve disease do not always relate to the seriousness of your condition. You may have no symptoms at all and have severe valve disease, requiring prompt treatment. Or, as with mitral valve prolapse, you may have severe symptoms, yet tests may show minor valve disease.
Symptoms of Heart Failure
Symptoms of heart failure can include:
·         Shortness of breath noted during activity (most commonly) or at rest, especially when you lie down flat in bed
·         Cough that produces white sputum.
·         Rapid weight gain (a weight gain of two or three pounds in one day is possible.)
·         Swelling in ankles, legs, and abdomen
·         Dizziness
·         Fatigue and weakness
·         Rapid or irregular heartbeats
·         Other symptoms include nausea, palpitations, and chest pain.
Like valve disease, heart failure symptoms may not be related to how weak your heart is. You may have many symptoms, but your heart function may be only mildly weakened. Or you may have a severely damaged heart, with few or no symptoms.
If you notice any of these symptoms please visit a doctor. The earlier the better!
NOTE: Many of these share diseases share common symptoms, so it is important to go to your doctor for proper diagnosis.
As mentioned earlier, some people are living with high tendency of having this disease, yet they are not aware. Help create more awareness about cardiovascular diseases by sharing this post. Who knows how many people you will save from untimely death?
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