There are so many different forms of heart disease that it can be difficult to cover all of them at once when it comes to looking for typical symptoms and signs. Everything from congestive heart failure to coronary artery diseases require different considerations and different treatments depending on which disease you are suffering from. Importantly, it’s essential to understand common heart disease signs and symptoms so that you can see a doctor early and receive prompt treatment for the correct diagnosis.
In this article, we will cover some of the common heart disease signs and symptoms that relate to coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and heart muscle disease. If you begin to recognize any of these symptoms, make sure that you call your doctor immediately.
Common Heart Disease Signs and Symptoms – Coronary Artery Disease
By far, the most likely and frequently recognized sign of coronary artery disease can be the presence of chest pain, otherwise known as angina. Angina can present itself differently to different people but it is often seen as a sensation of weight, pressure, burning, or pain in the chest. Some people regularly mistake feelings of angina with other conditions such as heartburn or indigestion but if problems like this persist, it’s important to speak to your doctor as quickly as possible. Other symptoms that are often related to this disease include:
– Difficulty in breathing
– Palpitations or an irregular heart rhythm
– Faster heart heat or erratic pulse
– Dizziness or weakness
– Sweating
– Nausea
Common Heart Disease Signs And Symptoms – Heart Valve Disease
Another form of heart disease is known as “heart valve disease”. Just like coronary artery disease, the symptoms of heart valve disease can often include pain in the chest, but they are more commonly associated with difficulty in catching your breath, or an overall shortness of breath. You might notice a tightness in your lungs or chest when you are lying down, or when you are doing typical activities. Some people describe the discomfort that they feel in their chest as having a weight or pressure over their lungs, particularly when they are exposed to cold air. Other signs of this condition might include dizziness and weakness, or palpitations.
If heart disease in the valves of the heart also leads to heart failure, you might find that your ankles or feet begin to swell, or you see inflammation in your abdomen, as well as faster than usual weight gain.
Common Heart Disease Signs and Symptoms – Heart Muscle Disease
Finally, if you suffer from heart muscle disease, which is known as cardiomyopathy, then you may not experience any symptoms whatsoever, and may even be able to live a relatively normal life. However, if you do experience symptoms, they may include pressure or chest pain that gets worse during physical activity, symptoms of heart failure, fainting, palpitations, or swelling within the lower portion of your body.
If you experience heart disease symptoms, then you may also have arrhythmia, which can lead to sudden and unexpected deaths in people who have cardiomyopathy.
