According to the estimates, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in India was around 55 million until the year 2016. Among the people suffering from cardiovascular diseases, the coronary artery disease and stroke were found to be the two most common illnesses. A recent study by The Lancet, a weekly medical journal, revealed that 40 per cent of Indians below the age of 55 are prone to heart attacks.
The study also revealed that 50 per cent of the heart patients in India, get their first signs of warning at a relatively young age. The main reasons attributed to this is the sedentary lifestyle that most of the youths follow, unhealthy eating habits, and increased professional stress.
These numbers and statistics tell us how important it is to take good care of your heart. As the world celebrates International Heart Day on 29th September to increase awareness about heart diseases and its symptoms, we present below some of the most common signs of heart disease. In case you notice any of these symptoms in you, consult a cardiologist without any delay. Also, it will be a good decision if you buy health insurance, it protects you from the financial losses occurred due to diseases or illness.
1. Pain or discomfort in the chest
This is one of the most common signs of heart diseases. If you experience frequent chest pain or discomfort, chances are you could be suffering from heart disease. A condition known as coronary artery disease can lead to the narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries, causing pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest.
According to the doctors, different people can experience different types of discomfort in their chest due to the blocked arteries. Some may feel that a heavy object is kept on their chest, while others may feel pinching or a burning sensation in the chest. Usually, it happens when a person suffering from heart disease is involved in any rigorous physical activity
In case you sometimes feel a temporary pain, or if there is a spot that hurts when you touch or push around it, it might not be your heart, which is troubling. However, it’s prudent to still get it checked by a doctor. If the symptoms are more severe and frequent, it’s better to consult a cardiologist immediately.
2.A feeling of nausea and indigestion
Several illnesses can cause a feeling of nausea. However, if you continuously experience this feeling along with indigestion or stomach pain, it can be a signal that you are suffering from heart disease. Doctors believe that women are likely to report these types of symptoms more than men.
Sometimes, you may experience stomach upset or nausea for reasons that may have nothing to do with your heart. It can be because of something that you ate recently, or because of gastroenteritis. However, you should be aware that it can also happen because of a heart problem. So, in case you experience these symptoms frequently, do consult a doctor to find out if you’re at risk of heart disease.
3. Extreme fatigue or dizziness
There are a lot of things that can make you feel dizzy or light-headed for a moment. For example, maybe you didn’t have enough food or drinks, or you've indulged in any physical activity for long. However, if you feel uneasy or exhausted all the time, it can be a symptom of heart disease.
In heart disease, the heart can’t pump the blood in a way it should, which results in a drop in the blood pressure. This makes one feel dizzy or tired all the time.
Hence, in case your lifestyle hasn’t changed much, but you’re experiencing extreme tiredness or dizziness, you should take it seriously and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
4. Swelling in feet, legs, ankles
If your feet, legs, or ankles are getting big, you should not ignore them anymore. It can happen because probably your heart isn't able to pump blood as effectively as it should. When heart is unable to pump the blood fast enough, it causes the blood to accumulate in the veins, which in turn, causes those parts of the body to swell.
Also, certain heart diseases affect the functioning of the kidneys. As a result, the kidneys are unable to remove excess water from the body, which can result in swelling or bloating. Therefore, if your legs or ankles are swollen for a long time, you should consult a doctor to know whether it’s because of heart disease or something else.