Signs of Heart Disease

Signs of heart disease can be prominent, or they can be subtle.  Sometimes you may not notice any signs of heart disease at all, which is a pretty scary thought to ponder.  However, knowing what to look for can up your chances of spotting it early and taking treatment and preventative measures.
In most cases, a heart attack is not a sudden event.  You have probably had symptoms for a while now that you may have discounted as something completely unrelated.  Most heart attacks will start pretty slowly, with mild discomfort or pain.  Signs of heart disease can even come and go sporadically.

Heart disease is typically characterized by discomfort in the chest and upper areas of the body, like your jaw, neck, back, stomach or arms.  The discomfort can be extremely painful, or can feel more like pressure, or squeezing and fullness, sometimes numbness.

Often shortness of breath comes along with the chest pain or discomfort.  However shortness of breath can also happen before any chest pain is present.  Other signs of heart disease can include cold sweats and chills, nausea, and lightheadedness.

Signs of heart disease can vary, but if you experience any of the symptoms above as well as recurrent pain that doesn’t go away with a bit of rest, and vomiting or indigestion, accompanied by a feeling of fear or doom, you should call 911 asap, as it could be an indicator that a heart attack is imminent.

The best thing to do in that situation is after you call 911, lie down or sit in a position that is most comfortable for you, and if you are having chest pain, chew and swallow 2 baby aspirin. Wait as calmly as possible for the medical personnel to arrive, and let them take it from there.  Signs of heart disease shouldn’t be ignored, ever, as your life could very well hang in the balance.

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