Heart disease is a term which covers any disorder of the heart. Unlike cardiovascular disease, which describes problems with the blood vessels and circulatory system as well as the heart, heart disease refers to issues and deformities in the heart itself. There are eight lesser-known warning signs you may be at risk of heart disease. What are they?
Toothache
In some cases, toothache may be a warning sign of a heart attack.
Heart disease can cause toothache pain due to the location of your vagus nerve.
This nerve runs from the brain to the different organs in your body, including the heart and lungs.
Cankles
Fluid retention and bloating in the ankles can be signs of heart failure or other issues.
If the ankles are unusually swollen and you don’t know why, be sure to speak with your GP about the possible cause of this swelling.
Nausea
According to the American Heart Association, nausea can be warning signs of a heart attack more commonly found in women.
This warning sign often feels like one has overexerted themselves, even if they haven’t been particularly active.
Stomach pain
Sometimes the pain of heart attack is described as stomach pain, or pain in the middle of the upper abdomen.
The pain usually feels more like discomfort of heaviness rather than sharp, stabbing pain, and the pain tends to persist more than a few minutes.
Sweating
Sweating during physical activity or in hot weather is healthy.
But when individuals begin perspiring while experiencing discomfort in their chest, arm, neck or jaw — with little or no exertion — it could be the onset of a heart attack, according to a new study at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Thick neck
Waist size is typically associated with heart disease risk, but neck measurements are equally important according to experts.
A neck circumference of 16 inches or greater for men and 13 inches or greater for women can indicate a higher likelihood of elevated blood pressure, high triglycerides and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol which could cause a heart attack.
Erectile dysfunction
The build-up of plaques in the arteries of the body was believed to be the reason why erectile dysfunction often precedes heart problems, said the Mayo Clinic.
The health site continued: “The idea was that plaque build-up reduces blood flow in the penis, making an erection difficult.”
Fainting
Fainting can be a sign of lowered blood pressure, which limits the amount of blood going to the brain.
Although fainting is not a common symptom, it may be a sign of irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation (AFib).
There are two main lines of treatment when it comes to heart disease.
Initially, a person can attempt to treat their heart condition using medications.
If these do not have the desired effect, surgical options are available to help correct the issue.
If you are experiencing any of these eight lesser-known warning signs of heart disease, it’s imperative to monitor your health carefully and speak to your GP about the possible cause.
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