Each new type of a heart disease may show similar symptoms, but they require different treatments. Therefore, if you find any of the symptoms of a cardio disorder, you must immediately visit your doctor, so that the correct diagnosis is made and the treatment is started.
It is important to identify symptoms that signal chances of heart diseases. Call your doctor in case you develop any of these symptoms, or other symptoms that may become frequent or severe.
Symptoms caused by blood vessels:
Narrowed, stiffened or blocked blood vessels can lead to heart diseases by preventing blood to reach your heart, brain and other parts of the body. Symptoms of such diseases may vary among a man and a woman. Symptoms in men may include chest pain, while that in a woman may include extreme fatigue, nausea or shortness of breath. Common symptoms include:
- Pain in the chest (angina)
- Pain in neck, throat, jaw, back or upper abdomen
- Pain, coldness, weakness or numbness in the arms and legs, if blood vessels in those areas are narrowed
You may not be diagnosed with a heart disease, until you experience symptoms such as a heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure or angina. It’s important that you keep a routine check on your heart to detect any signs of a cardiovascular disease at an early stage.
Symptoms caused by abnormal heartbeats:
An abnormal heartbeat is known as heart arrhythmia. Under such cases, a heart may beat too slowly, too fast or irregularly. Common symptoms include:
- Slow heart beat (bradycardia)
- Racing heart beat (tachycardia)
- Fluttering inside the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Pain or discomfort in chest
- Dizziness or light-headedness
- Fainting
Symptoms caused by defects in the heart:
Symptoms of congenital heart diseases- defects of heart that you are born with, become prominent soon after birth, in case the defect is serious. Symptoms of such heart defects in children include:
- Blue or pale grey skin color
- Swelling in areas around eyes, legs or abdomen
- Shortness of breath during feeding, leading to poor weight
Less serious defects are often diagnosed either in adulthood or later in childhood. Signs and symptoms of such diseases that are not immediately life threatening include the following:
- Swellings in the hand, feet or ankle
- Getting tired easily while exercising or during any other physical activity
- Shortness of breath during physical activities
Symptoms caused by weak heart muscles:
Presence of weak heart muscles is known as dilated cardiomyopathy. It is a situation that causes the heart muscles to thicken or stiffen. Early stages of cardiomyopathy may show no symptoms. It is mostly during serious conditions when the symptoms actually appear. Such symptoms include:
- Dizziness or fainting
- Swellings in the feet, ankle or legs
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeats like fluttering or pounding heartbeats
- Feelings of breathlessness with exertion
Symptoms caused by heart infections:
Heart infections are usually of three types-
- Pericarditis- infections that affect the pericardium (tissues surrounding the heart)
- Myocarditis- affect the myocardium (middle layer of the walls of the heart)
- Endocarditis- affects the endocardium (inner membrane of the heart)
Symptoms of a heart infection include:
- Weakness and fatigue
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Changes in the rhythm of the heart
- Swellings in legs or abdomen
- Dry and persistent cough
- Skin rashes
It is advised to seek immediate medical care in case you find yourself suffering from any of the symptoms of chest pain, fainting or shortness of breath. Heart diseases are easier to treat when detected early. So, consult with a doctor immediately if you find any of such symptoms. For any other queries related to cardiology or heart diseases you may refer to a doctor.