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
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:
·
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 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?
If you like this post and you want more like this, like our facebook
page @ kiksolyn herbals.
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