Not Just Pain, These Are 11 Signs of an Unhealthy Heart
The heart is a vital organ that needs to be kept healthy. The reason is, when the heart shows signs of being unhealthy, this will also have an impact on your overall health condition.
Problems with the heart are not only characterized by chest pain or discomfort around it. This condition is also often marked by other physical problems that you may not be aware of.
then, how to know if there is a problem in the heart?
Unhealthy Heart sign
With the main function of the heart as a supply of blood and oxygen throughout the body, it's no wonder that heart disease also causes disturbances in other parts of the body.
Therefore, it is important to know what are the signs of an unhealthy heart as early as possible. Here are some signs that you need to watch out for.
1. Easily tired
Fatigue is normal. However, if you feel tired easily after doing activities that normally don't tire you, it's a good idea to have your heart checked.
An easy example is when you're out of breath trying to climb stairs, when normally you can easily make it up.
An exhausted body can be caused by the heart not being able to pump blood to the lungs and muscles properly.
2. Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
In men, difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection can be one of the characteristics of Unhealthy Heart.
Erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of artery damage from heart disease.
Since the main function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body, when there is a problem in one blood vessel, it may also affect other areas.
3. Cramps or numbness in the calf when walking
Reporting from the Hopkins Medicine page, cramps or numbness in the calves when walking can also be a sign of an Unhealthy Heart.
This condition is one of the characteristics of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The cramping or numbness usually goes away once you stop walking.
Someone with PVD often has atherosclerosis or plaque buildup (cholesterol and other fats) in the arteries. This is what then causes cramps.
4. Irregular heartbeat
When your heart can't pump blood properly, it will try to beat faster to maintain blood supply to all parts of the body.
Increased heart rate is called tachycardia. In some people, heart problems can also cause a slower heartbeat, aka bradycardia.
As long as the duration is short, an irregular heartbeat is actually normal. However, you should immediately see a doctor if this condition continues to recur.
5. Chest pain or angina
Feeling of tightness or pain, especially on the left side of the chest, is a common sign of coronary heart disease. This disease occurs due to blockages in the arteries of the heart.
The pain that was initially only felt in the chest can spread to the left arm, neck, jaw, and even the back.
6. Shortness of breath
One more sign of Unhealthy Heart that is quite common is shortness of breath. This condition occurs when blood accumulates in the lungs because your heart can't pump it properly.
The fluid in the lungs then makes it hard for you to breathe. Apart from tightness, this condition can also cause coughing.
Shortness of breath is associated with a number of heart problems, including disease of the aortic vessels, arrhythmias, and heart failure.
7. Often feel dizzy
When the heart is not able to properly distribute oxygen and blood to the brain, you will easily feel dizzy.
Dizziness is indeed a symptom of many health problems. This condition can also indicate a serious problem with your heart.
To determine the cause, you need to pay attention to other accompanying symptoms and see a doctor.
Apart from dizziness, several similar conditions are also signs of an Unhealthy Heart, namely drowsiness and fainting.
8. Snoring loudly
The habit of snoring while sleeping is also known as sleep apnea. The sound of snoring is generally formed from a blockage in the respiratory tract.
Although it seems trivial, loud snoring can actually indicate a heart attack or other cardiovascular problems.
It's just that, one thing that is a problem is that you may not realize when you are snoring.
Therefore, try to ask for help from people who live in the same house with you to determine whether you snore while sleeping.
9. Swollen feet
If the heart can't circulate blood properly, your kidneys won't be able to filter blood properly either.
One of the consequences is that there will be a buildup of fluid around the feet. This condition will make your feet look swollen.
As well as being a red flag for your heart health, leg swelling can also result in a pulmonary embolism. This is a blockage in the lungs that must be treated immediately.
10. Excessive sweating
Have you ever sweated excessively, even though you weren't doing strenuous activities or were in the middle of hot weather? If so, this could be a sign of an unhealthy heart.
Although it doesn't always indicate a problem with the heart, if you often sweat excessively (especially at night), you should immediately have your condition checked.
11. Pain in the stomach
When the stomach feels hot or painful, most people associate it with heartburn or stomach acid problems. Apparently, this condition can also indicate a problem with the heart.
There is no definite difference between stomach pain due to heartburn and a heart attack. To be sure, you need to do further tests with your doctor.
Signs of Unhealthy Heart in each person may be different. Some of the conditions above are also not always related to heart disease.
If you feel symptoms like the one above or discomfort in your chest, visit your doctor immediately to find out the health condition of your heart.
