Cardiovascular conditions cause around 170,000 deaths each year – an average of one every three minutes
According to the British Heart Foundation, around eight million people in the UK are living with some form of heart or circulatory disease. Cardiovascular disease causes around 170,000 deaths each year – an average of one every three minutes. But do you know how to spot the signs of potential heart disease?
While chest pain and shortness of breath are well-known symptoms of a heart attack, there are often subtle, silent signs that could indicate an increased risk of heart disease – often long before a heart attack occurs. Ruth Goss, a senior cardiac nurse at the British Heart Foundation, explains the less obvious signs of heart disease and when to seek medical assistance.
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Dizziness and fainting
Dizziness can happen for lots of innocuous reasons, but Goss says it is important not to ignore it.
“An abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) can sometimes cause people to feel dizzy and black out. While many arrhythmias are not serious, some are associated with life-threatening complications, so it’s always important to have them properly checked. Changes affecting the arteries and how effectively oxygen is being pumped around your body can also cause people to feel dizzy or black out.”
If you notice any unusual or ongoing dizziness, the best thing to do is to make an appointment with your doctor to have it checked. “If concerned, you can call 111 for urgent advice. If someone is also experiencing chest pain, breathlessness, seems disoriented or confused or gets injured, call 999 immediately,” says Goss.
Increased breathlessness
It is normal to get out of breath after a strenuous workout or run. But if you notice that you’re feeling more breathless than usual, or your exercise tolerance seems to be reducing, and things that didn’t used to make you feel out of breath now are, then it could be a sign that your heart is struggling to work as efficiently as it should be.
“This breathlessness could be due to blockages and reduced blood flow in the arteries,” says Goss. “It can also be linked with arrhythmia. Persistent breathlessness can also happen due to heart failure, as the heart is too weak to pump blood around the body properly.”
If you find yourself more breathless than usual, Goss advises that you make an appointment with your GP. “But don’t hesitate to seek urgent care and call 999 if you experience sudden/severe or worsening breathlessness, especially if accompanied by other symptoms – such as swelling, fever, chest pain and pain that travels to the jaw or arm.”
Swollen ankles
We all experience swollen ankles occasionally, but if you’ve noticed that your ankles or lower calves have become persistently swollen and puffy, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor, as this can be a sign of heart problems. “Unusual swelling can indicate a problem with the body’s circulatory system and kidneys and can also be a sign of heart failure. Your heart may not be pumping blood around your body as well as it should be, and fluid collects in your lower limbs,” explains Goss.
“If it’s an occasional one-off, it’s often nothing to worry about. But if swollen ankles are happening continually, don’t ignore it.”
Persistent indigestion-type symptoms
Indigestion is extremely common, especially as we age. But a painful or burning feeling in your chest or stomach can be a sign of a heart attack or related heart problem.
It can be hard to tell the difference between heart pain and indigestion. That’s because the heart, the stomach and the gullet (the passage between your mouth and stomach) all lie right next to each other.
Goss says if you have pain and discomfort in the stomach, chest and ribs, or a burning sensation in the chest area, these could all be symptoms of heart disease.
“If symptoms persist, it’s important to speak to your doctor. And make sure you go back to get things checked out again if the symptoms keep coming back or get worse. If you are ever worried that you are having a heart attack, call 999,” says Goss.
Worsening fatigue
Feeling tired all the time is something many of us are familiar with. If you’ve been juggling lots of demands, overdoing things or not sleeping well, chances are there’s a simple explanation, and your energy levels can be restored in time with a few adjustments.
But, Goss says: “Ongoing and worsening fatigue can indicate an underlying health issue, and it could be a sign that your heart isn’t working as effectively as it should be. If persistent fatigue is impacting you day-to-day, the best thing to do is speak with your doctor.”
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Erectile dysfunction
You might wonder what erectile dysfunction (ED) has to do with heart health, but there’s a surprising link. “It’s very common for men to experience ED if they’re stressed or anxious, or after consuming alcohol,” says Goss. “But if it’s an ongoing issue, there could be an underlying health problem, including atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), diabetes or high blood pressure, which are all risk factors for cardiovascular disease.”
Atherosclerosis, which occurs due to a build-up of fatty material in the arteries, significantly raises your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Goss says it’s important to see your GP if you’re experiencing ongoing ED, so they can arrange for tests and rule out any underlying medical causes. If atherosclerosis, diabetes, or high blood pressure are detected, these conditions can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication if needed.