subject: What Are Some Symptoms Of Heart Disease? [print this page] What Are Some Symptoms Of Heart Disease? What Are Some Symptoms Of Heart Disease?
The number one killer of men and women in the United States is heart disease,sometimes referred to as cardiovascular disease,and sadly is often preventable. Knowing what to look for and your own choices in lifestyle may determine whether you avoid this disease or suffer from it. But what is heart disease?
Heart disease is really just a broad term to cover dozens of heart related diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart arrhythmias, congenital heart disease,and conditions caused by infections to name a few. Symptoms and causes of heart disease can vary depending on which type you may have,but here are some things to look for.
Heart arrhythmia is when the heart beats too fast,slow or irregularly and may be because of high blood pressure,smoking,diabetes,medications,drug abuse or even stress. Some symptoms are:
Chest pain
Dizziness
Racing or slow heartbeat
Fluttering in the chest
Shortness of breath
Lightheaded or fainting
Cardiovascular disease can be caused by obesity,unhealthy diet,inactive lifestyle ,and smoking. Some symptoms may include:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Weakness,numbness or coldness in the legs or arms
Congenital type causes are a bit more unclear but medical researchers feel certain medical conditions and even genetics may be to blame. In infants with congenital heart disease have symptoms of:
Pale gray or blue skin color
Shortness of breath
Swelling in the legs,abdomen or around the eyes
Infections usually affect the heart muscles and can be from bacteria,viruses or drug abuse. Some symptoms are:
Fever
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Changes in heart rhythms
Persistent cough
Swelling in legs or abdomen
Things you can do to avoid the symptoms above are to eat a healthy diet consisting of vegetables and fruits,certain fish, a diet low in fat,cholesterol,salt,low fat dairy and whole grains. Also get plenty of exercise, try to maintain a healthy weight, don't smoke, and if you drink alcohol limit it to no more than two drinks a day for men and one a day for women,and get regular health screenings.
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above,especially chest pain,shortness of breath or fainting,seek immediate medical attention!
