Are You at Risk of Heart Disease? 5 Warning Signs to Never Ignore

In the United States, cardiovascular disease causes a death every 34 seconds, and someone suffers a heart attack every 40 seconds. Heart disease affects men and women of all races and ethnicities.

Dr. Temeka Johnson and the experienced staff at Quality Health Source in Mableton, Georgia, help their patients with a range of medical needs, including assessing their risk of heart disease and developing plans to preserve their heart health.

Here, they look at warning signs of heart disease that you shouldn’t ignore.

Understanding heart disease

The vast network of veins, arteries, capillaries, and blood vessels that comprises your circulatory system sends oxygen, hormones, nutrients, and other vital materials throughout the body. 

At the center of the system is the heart, which works tirelessly and continuously to keep everything running.

Damage to your heart can result from many problems in the system, including blockages, narrowed blood vessels, dysfunctional heart valves, and irregular heart rhythms.

Types of heart disease

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and takes a variety of forms, including:

• Artery disease: narrowing or blockages in the blood vessels of your heart or limbs 
• Valve disease: damage or leaking of these structures in your heart
• Arrhythmias: abnormalities in heart rhythm or heart rate
• Aortic disease: damage to the artery (aorta) sending blood to your brain and body
• Pericardial disease: damage affecting the lining of your heart
• Heart failure: heart pumping or relaxing dysfunction

Warning signs to look for

If any of these apply to you, get help as soon as possible:

1. Chest discomfort

Artery blockages often cause chest pressure, pain, or tightness, described as feeling like an elephant sitting on your chest or as a pinching or burning sensation.

2. Dizziness/lightheadedness

Changes in blood pressure can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or feeling unsteady on your feet. If you also experience shortness of breath, it’s likely due to a heart issue.

3. Sudden fatigue

Becoming completely exhausted after doing things you typically do every day, especially for days at a time, indicates heart disease.

4. Irregular heartbeat

Your heart racing after intense activity may be normal, but if it happens routinely or comes with palpitations, or some of the other symptoms listed, see a doctor.

5. Swollen legs, feet, or ankles

These symptoms can signal poor blood circulation stemming from conditions like heart failure, making it harder for the kidneys to remove excess water.

Heart disease can be life-threatening if not properly diagnosed and treated. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Johnson and Quality Health Source today to get the help your heart needs to stay healthy.