Office Phone Number: (832) 644-8930
New Patient Appointments: (346) 662-1220
Office Phone Number: (832) 644-8930
New Patient Appointments: (346) 662-1220
Your heart is responsible for keeping every one of your organs in shape. That means that complications with the heart can be felt all over the body. At Modern Heart and Vascular Institute, we’re here to help you recognize and fight the signs of heart disease. Stay one step ahead of heart disease with Modern Heart and Vascular.
Heart disease refers to a collection of cardiovascular diseases that includes blood vessel diseases, heart rhythm problems, heart defects, valve diseases and infections. While heart disease refers to a vast collection of diagnoses and symptoms, there are measures you can take to altogether minimize your chances of developing noncongenital heart disease.
Heart disease may manifest in the following symptoms in the rest of your body:
The leading cause of heart disease is the buildup of fatty plaques inside your arteries. This buildup can cause heart arrhythmia as well as cyanosis and poor circulation due to the difficulty of pumping blood through narrow arteries. Coronary artery diseases can be exacerbated by poor diets, smoking, sedentary lifestyles, drug abuse, high blood pressure and stress.
While chest and back pain might be the most well-known heart disease symptoms, there are many other symptoms of heart problems around the body. Heart disease can cause everything from chronic fatigue and muscle weakness to shortness of breath. Heart disease may present itself as symptoms in the following organ systems:
Since the heart and lungs work together so closely, heart disease is certain to manifest as respiratory symptoms. When oxygen passes from the lungs to the heart, obstructions or poor pumping surrounding the heart can greatly impact breathing and lead to a lack of oxygen throughout the whole body. As a result, you may develop cyanosis, which causes your skin to have a pale or bluish hue. Cyanosis is a sign the oxygen bound to the hemoglobin in your blood has become low enough that you require medical assistance.
If breathing becomes a challenge, it may be from undue stress being placed upon the heart. Breathing becomes more and more difficult as heart disease progresses due to a backup of fluid passing into the tissues surrounding the heart and lungs. In the beginning stages of heart disease, you may experience shortness of breath after exercising, while getting dressed or even while walking across the room. A rapid heartbeat — or tachycardia — may also cause shortness of breath and increase chances of fainting.
A sudden feeling of shortness of breath is indicative of a heart attack. When a heart attack happens, the main arteries that distribute blood to the heart become blocked and cause breathing to become much more difficult. If you ever experience sudden shortness of breath and chest pain, it’s essential to get immediate medical care and alert your doctor. You should also seek immediate medical attention if you have chest pain and breathlessness that worsens while lying down.
One of the most obvious and visible signs of heart disease is extreme fatigue and swelling in the extremities. You may also experience aching, cramping and numbness in your calves as you walk, which is indicative of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or overall poor circulation. PVD can be caused or exacerbated by high cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking and diabetes.
The symptoms of heart disease may manifest in the digestive tract in the form of intense nausea and bloating. This form of heart-related nausea and vomiting is called intestinal angina and usually occurs within the first two hours after eating a meal. Intestinal angina causes dull cramping sensations in the stomach as well as in the back. Women are more likely to report intestinal angina and may experience vomiting alongside their chest pain.
If the heart has begun deteriorating, an individual may begin producing high levels of hydrochloric acid (HCl) that causes intense nausea and ulcers. Increased HCl production inhibits the body’s ability to digest and process nutrients and may lead to overall weight loss.
Individuals of all ages and lifestyles can make small changes in their life to reduce their risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends making the following changes to better your heart health:
Every heart has a story…What’s yours?
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