Listen to Your Heart: Recognizing Signs of a Heart Condition

• What Causes Heart Disease?
• Most Common Types of Heart Disease
• Risk Factors for Heart Disease
• What Are the Signs of a Heart Condition?

Did you know that taking care of your heart can lead to a longer, healthier life? While heart disease is a significant global health concern, the good news is that many heart conditions are preventable and manageable with early detection and proper care.

At AMA Medical Group, we’re committed to helping you maintain optimal heart health. Understanding the signs and symptoms of heart conditions is a crucial step in this journey. Whether you’ve experienced unexplained fatigue or simply want to be proactive about your cardiovascular wellness, we’re here to guide you.

Let’s explore the key warning signs, symptoms, and risk factors of heart conditions. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions about your health and work with your healthcare provider to prevent or manage potential heart issues. Remember, awareness and early action are your best allies in maintaining a strong, healthy heart.

Heart disease, also known as cardiovascular disease, encompasses a range of issues affecting the heart and blood vessels. While some individuals are born with heart conditions known as congenital heart disease, others develop heart disease later in life due to a combination of factors such as lifestyle choices, genetic predisposition, infections, underlying health conditions, and medication usage.

Cardiovascular disease encompasses various heart-related conditions:

Coronary Artery Disease
This is the most prevalent type of heart disease, characterized by the accumulation of LDL (bad cholesterol) in the arteries. Left unmanaged, it can lead to heart attacks or even cardiac arrest and death.

Congestive Heart Failure
This occurs when the heart muscle cannot pump blood effectively due to weakness or stiffness. In the United States, approximately 5 million people struggle with congestive heart failure, with more than half succumbing within five years of diagnosis.

Valvular Heart Disease
When one of the four heart valves malfunctions due to illness, birth defects, or heart damage over time, it results in valvular heart disease. Although less common than other heart conditions, it can go unnoticed for years.

Atherosclerosis
This condition involves plaque buildup on artery walls, affecting around 3 million people annually. While often asymptomatic, it can lead to severe complications, such as heart attacks or strokes, if it occurs in the arteries supplying blood to the heart or brain.

Arrhythmia
These are irregular heart rhythms, ranging from too fast to slow or irregular beats. Some types, like atrial fibrillation, may require blood thinners to prevent strokes, while others, such as ventricular tachycardia, can lead to cardiac arrest.

Cardiomyopathy
A group of diseases that affect the heart muscle’s ability to pump blood effectively, potentially leading to congestive heart failure. Variants include dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Heart Infections
Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can inflame or infect various parts of the heart, such as the heart valves (endocarditis), heart muscle (myocarditis), or sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis). While rare in most individuals, certain factors, like heart surgery, age over 65, or intravenous drug use, can increase the risk of infections like endocarditis.

Several risk factors contribute to the development of heart issues, including:

• High blood pressure: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognizes it as a primary risk factor. It damages arterial linings, fostering plaque buildup that narrows arteries supplying the heart and brain. This prevalent condition demands management through medication and dietary adjustments to curb sodium intake, as uncontrolled high blood pressure can precipitate heart attacks and strokes.
• High LDL cholesterol: Elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) pose another significant risk for heart disease. Accumulation of cholesterol within arteries compromises blood flow to vital organs, necessitating intervention through medication or lifestyle modifications like adopting a healthier diet and increasing physical activity under medical supervision.
• Diabetes: Individuals with diabetes face a heightened risk, being two to three times more likely to develop heart disease. High blood sugar levels exacerbate other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol, and damage heart blood vessels.
• Smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke: Smoking contributes to a quarter of heart disease-related deaths, inflicting lasting harm on the heart and blood vessels. Even non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke remain vulnerable, with estimates indicating a 20% increased risk of heart disease.
• Unhealthy lifestyle: Overweight or obese individuals are predisposed to heart disease along with associated risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Sedentary habits further compound the risk of obesity. Mitigating these risks involves eschewing sugary, processed foods in favor of a balanced diet rich in fresh produce, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy.

1. Extreme Fatigue

Fatigue may stem from various illnesses or medications. However, persistent and unexplained fatigue can sometimes indicate heart failure, a condition characterized by the heart’s inability to pump effectively, or coronary artery disease. While it’s less frequent as a symptom of coronary artery disease, it can still serve as a potential indicator.

2. Unexplained Aches or Pains

In cases of coronary artery disease, when the blood supply to the heart muscle is blocked, the heart often signals distress, typically when it’s under increased demand. However, this discomfort isn’t always localized to the chest; it can manifest in the shoulders, arms, back, jaw, or abdomen. If such discomfort arises during physical exertion and subsides with rest, it could indicate underlying heart issues.

Knowing When to Seek Help
It’s wise to be cautious, particularly if you experience:

• Symptoms that worsen with activity and alleviate with rest
• Multiple symptoms concurrently, such as fatigue and swollen feet
• Known heart disease or risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking.

3. Shortness of Breath

Don’t hastily dismiss shortness of breath as merely a consequence of being unfit. Unexpected shortness of breath accompanying minor exertion could signal underlying heart issues. While feeling winded after climbing five flights of stairs is normal, experiencing breathlessness after ascending just ten steps may indicate a heart problem.

4. Swollen Feet or Ankles

Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet, characterized by leaving an indentation upon pressing, could indicate heart failure. However, it might also stem from kidney or liver disease, venous insufficiency, or be a side effect of certain medications like nifedipine or amlodipine.

Recognizing a heart attack:
Physical activity or being at rest can cause heart attacks. If any of the following symptoms arise suddenly, dial 911:

• Shortness of breath
• Pressure or pain in the chest or upper abdomen
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen.

5. Heart Palpitations

Palpitations are sensations of an irregular or fast heartbeat. Although anxiety, dehydration, or caffeine consumption can cause palpitations, they can also be a sign of an underlying heart condition. It is important to pay attention to the frequency and intensity of your palpitations and the activities you are engaged in when they occur if you experience irregular or rapid heartbeats while at rest, such as while watching television, it is critical to speak with your doctor about it.

The best way to find out if you have heart disease is to schedule a screening and talk to your doctor. Your heart health should always be noticed. At AMA Medical Group, our team of experienced healthcare professionals is fully dedicated to supporting you on your journey towards a healthy heart. Whether you seek preventative care, diagnostic evaluations, or personalized treatment plans, we’re here to help.

If you’re experiencing any signs or symptoms of a heart condition, we urge you to request an appointment with AMA Medical Group today. You can enjoy a longer and healthier life by prioritizing your cardiovascular health and taking proactive measures to prevent heart disease.