Heart Diseases don't come announced. They happen when we least expect them. Usually, people get alarmed when they experience symptoms like chest pain and fatigue accompanied by Shortness Of Breath or the like.
However, what is less commonly known is that there are other physical signs that appear way before obvious symptoms show up. The death rate due to heart diseases in our country is very high. It would be great if we could keep a check on ourselves before any big disease breaks through.
Recognizing the early symptoms of heart diseases might simply be the way to receive early diagnosis and treatment.
So in order to recognize the signs, it is important to know what to look out for.
Here are certain signs of Heart Disease that we may notice but ignore just because they seem unrelated to our heart. Knowing them can make us keep a little ahead of ourselves, especially those of us with a family history.
Swelling
Swelling of the limbs or edema as it is commonly known may be a sign of heart disease. As the heart becomes incapable of pumping enough blood, fluid from blood vessels may leak into surrounding tissues. Edema may be a result of various other reasons, but combined with other signs, it could be a vital determinant of heart disease.
Yellow skin protrusions
These bumps or protrusions are known as Xanthomas and are fat deposits that develop under the skin.
They appear on hands, feet, elbows, knees and occasionally on eyelids. They could indicate heart disease because they signify high levels of fats in the blood.
Swollen gums
We usually associate swelling of gums with oral hygiene, but sometimes swelling and bleeding of gums can be a vital indicator of heart disease. Various studies and research papers have proven that.
Gum problems indicate poor circulation.
Emotional stress
Broken heart syndrome or a condition that looks like a heart attack could also be a sign of weakened heart. This condition that develops usually in women, occurs when stress hormones surge and trigger heart pain. This is accompanied by quick heartbeats, shortness of breath and paleness.
It is very similar to a heart attack but since the arteries are not blocked, it is not classed as one. This may be a sign of heart disease.
According to CDC, nearly 610,000 people in the United States die because of heart diseases every year. That would mean about one death out of every four, happens because of a heart disease. This is an alarming rate. In order to remain on the safe side, a quick study of the above list might save lives and bring down this rate. After all, every life counts.
