Posted on 5th January, 2024 at 12:12:35 AM
ISCHAEMIC HEART DISEASE:
This is a common symptom of ischaemic heart disease. The pain usually occurs centrally in the chest. It may pass down to left arm, to the jaw or to upper part of the tummy. Occasionally it may radiate to right shoulder, to the back or sometimes may not radiate at all. It is variously described, sometimes as a 'crushing pain' or may simply be 'a sense of heaviness over the chest'. Usually, it comes with exertion and is relieved with rest. In severe cases, it may start even during the period of inactivity.
It is important to remember that chest pain is not always due to some heart ailments. Other causes such as indigestion, chest infection, and inflammation of muscles and joints of the rib cage may also cause chest pain. Occasionally heart attacks may occur even without chest pain, particularly in the elderly and diabetics.
SHORTNESS OF BREATH :
This usually occurs with exertion, although in more severe cases it may be present even at rest. This may be associated with 'orthopnoea', where breathlessness is aggravated on lying flat, or 'paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea', where a sudden bout of breathlessness may wake you up from sleep leaving you gasping for breath. Shortness of breath may indicate heart failure, however, lung disease, obesity, anemia or even physical deconditioning may cause breathlessness on exertion.
PALPITATION :
This is awareness of one's own heartbeat. It may be heightened awareness of normal heartbeat or due to abnormal beating of the heart. Palpitation may also occur due to anxiety, mental stress, or excitement.
DIZZINESS :
'Light-headedness' or 'feeling as if may fall or faint', may be due to abnormal heart rhythm or abnormal blood pressure. It may also be due to disorders other than heart disease.
BLACK OUT :
Sudden loss of consciousness is usually an ominous sign. Disorders of heart rhythm may cause blackout. Other diseases such as epilepsy or stroke may also have similar manifestations.
SWELLING OF FEET :
This may have different causes. Heart failure is one of them. Others include kidney disease, liver disease, anemia, low protein in the blood, and diseases of venous or lymphatic channels of the leg.
Even in the absence of symptoms, if you have multiple risk factors for coronary artery disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, history of heart disease in your family or habit of smoking then also you should consider seeing a doctor for advice.
It is important to remember that occasionally early heart disease may not be associated with any symptom and the disease may be detected incidentally during routine examination.
