According to the American Heart Association, 121 million American adults struggle with some type of heart disease. That’s almost half of the U.S. adult population.
Are you worried that you might be one of the millions of Americans developing heart disease? If you are, you’ll need to know what signs of an unhealthy heart to look out for.
This guide will discuss them in more detail. Keep reading to learn what they are.
Fatigue After Physical Activity
While it’s normal to feel tired after exercise, sudden fatigue after an activity you do every day isn’t normal. This can indicate your heart isn’t pumping the necessary amount of blood through your body.
If you could jog a mile or take an hour-long dance class with ease and are now having trouble pushing through, there might be something wrong with your heart. If the fatigue doesn’t go away, consider making an appointment with your cardiologist.
Shortness of Breath Is a Common Sign
Another common sign of heart disease is shortness of breath. When there’s something wrong and you’re not able to breathe properly, you’ll notice right away.
You might feel heavy lungs or the need to take rapid breaths. Sudden shortness of breath is often caused by a pulmonary embolism. Shortness of breath that develops over time can indicate heart failure or aortic disease.
Chest and Shoulder Pain
Since your heart is in your chest, any pain or discomfort in this area is a clear sign of an unhealthy heart. If you feel surface pain or pain that increases when touched, you can have an issue unrelated to your heart. This pain can be caused by physical exertion.
If your chest pain travels to your left shoulder, this indicates heart trouble. Pressure in your left shoulder occurs because your heart is on your left side. If this pain is accompanied by shortness of breath, you need to seek medical attention right away.
Stomach Pain or Heartburn
Heartburn or stomach pain isn’t always a sign of heart illness, but it can be. Heartburn can cause the same pain a heart attack causes, differentiating between the two can sometimes be difficult.
If you’re at a higher risk of heart disease and often feel the burning sensation of heartburn, you should get examined by a doctor.
A heart attack can also induce indigestion and nausea. If you experience all of these symptoms at once, you might be experiencing a heart attack.
Sexual Problems
Sexual performance issues can occur because of stress or age, but they can also be the result of an unhealthy heart. Erectile dysfunction is a common sign of having a heart condition.
If you have blocked arteries, you won’t receive the necessary blood flow through your body, including to the penis. Vascular erectile dysfunction is a common sexual dysfunction caused by atherosclerosis or endothelial dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis hardens the arteries and leads to heart attack or stroke. Endothelial decreases blood flow through your body.
An Irregular Heartbeat Is a Cause for Concern
An irregular heartbeat is most often a sign of heart problems. An irregular heartbeat is also called an arrhythmia, and it can pose a danger to your life.
You’ll likely feel a flutter in your chest when you have an irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia that occurs when your heart beats a lot faster than it should. Premature ventricular contractions occur when your heart skips a beat.
Any of these irregular heartbeats can indicate an unhealthy heart and should be examined by a doctor.
Trouble Sleeping
Sleeping problems can be caused by many different factors, an unhealthy heart can be one of them. Snoring, insomnia or sleep apnea are often linked to different cardiovascular diseases.
Sleep apnea and insomnia specifically will prevent you from getting the rest you need. This lack of sleep can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, and even heart failure. If you’ve recently developed these sleeping issues, you’ll need to get your heart checked out.
If You Feel Lightheaded
Dizziness can occur because of simple things like skipping a meal or standing up too fast. Feeling lightheaded, experiencing shortness of breath, and chest pain all at the same time is usually a sign of a heart attack.
This combination of symptoms could indicate a drop in blood pressure because your heart isn’t pumping sufficient blood throughout your body. If you feel these symptoms together, you should seek medical attention immediately.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is the most obvious sign of an unhealthy heart. When your heart has to work harder to pump blood, you could damage your arteries.
This can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. You can also develop heart disease if you don’t treat high blood pressure early on. Your doctor might prescribe medication for high blood pressure or encourage you to include more heart-healthy foods in your diet.
If you need to set up an appointment with a cardiologist, you might want to consider using telecardiology for a more convenient experience. Read more here.
Swelling in Your Feet
Swelling in your feet can be a sign of heart failure. If your heart isn’t pumping blood as it should, it’ll start pooling in your lowest extremities. If your socks or shoes start to feel tighter than before, you likely have a heart condition that needs attention.
The Signs of an Unhealthy Heart Explained
There are many signs of an unhealthy heart you should look out for. Chest pain and shortness of breath are common signs of heart trouble. Trouble sleeping and feeling lightheaded are other symptoms you might experience.
Check out some of the other health blogs on our site to learn more.