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What Your Heart Is Telling You
 Heart
problems can take you by surprise. Suddenly, you're hunched over with chest
pressure, pain, or even a heart attack. These are frightening symptoms of
coronary artery
disease (sometimes called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries).
This disease means that your heart isn't getting enough blood. The good news
is that surgery and basic lifestyle changes can give your heart another
chance.
Warning
Signs of Coronary Artery Disease
First you must
be aware that most patients with heart disease usually do not have symptoms
with ordinary activities until their disease is fairly advanced. When they
first sense something is wrong, it may not be signaled by chest pain.
In fact,
many patients insist that they do not have pain. They experience a
tightness, heaviness, or an uncomfortable feeling in their chest. Sometimes
the discomfort will radiate to the neck, jaw, left shoulder, or down the
inner side of the left arm and forearm.
Angina
You're probably
familiar with angina, one of the most common symptoms of
coronary artery disease. Angina is a feeling that can range from numbness or
pressure to severe pain in your chest, arms, jaw, throat, or upper back. You
might even confuse angina with heartburn. Sometimes you have no symptoms of
coronary artery disease at all until you're struck by a heart attack. In any
case, it's time to do something about your heart problem.
As the individual becomes familiar with the conditions which elicit these
feelings, he subconsciously avoids the situations that bring them on.
Consequently, when asked if he has any symptoms, the customary answer is
"No."
It is advisable not to wait until chest pain or discomfort becomes
severe before you consult a physician concerning these symptoms.
Ischemia
Another set of symptoms associated with coronary artery disease may be
caused by a condition called ischemia. Ischemia occurs when
the narrowed coronary artery may reach a point where it cannot supply enough
oxygen-rich blood to meet your heart's needs. Your heart muscle begins to
become "starved" for oxygen. Symptoms associated ischemia include:
- shortness of breath - when doing normal daily activities or lying down flat in bed. You may need to sleep propped up on a few pillows to breathe easier
- palpitations - skipped beats or a flip-flop feeling in your chest
- weakness or dizziness - feels like passing out
- chest discomfort - a pain or pressure lasting a few seconds or for a few hours
- tachycardia - a faster heart beat at rest (over 100 beats/minute)
- dizziness
- nausea
- extreme weakness
Symptoms caused by a Ischemia is more likely to occur when
the heart demands extra oxygen. These conditions known as the Four E's occur
most commonly during Exertion (activity), Eating, E
xcitement and Exposure to cold. . However, coronary artery disease
can progress to a point where ischemia occurs even while you rest. Ischemia
may be present without any warning symptoms. This is called "silent
ischemia."
Warning Signs
of Heart Valve Disease
Your heart
valves are doorways that open and close to let blood move between the
chambers of your heart. Problems with your heart valves can mean that blood
doesn't flow through your heart and to your body the way it should. This can
keep you from feeling your best. Fortunately, valve surgery may help fix a
heart valve problem so your heart can work better.
If you have heart valve trouble, you may experience one or more of the
following:
- shortness of breath - when doing normal daily activities or lying down flat in bed. You may need to sleep propped up on a few pillows to breathe easier
- palpitations - skipped beats or a flip-flop feeling in your chest
- weakness or dizziness - feels like passing out
- quick weight gain - three pounds in one day is possible
- edema - swelling in your ankles, feet or abdomen
- chest discomfort - a pain or pressure lasting a few seconds or for a few hours
Symptoms can occur quickly if your valve disease is severe and comes on
suddenly. If your disease develops slowly and your heart has time to adjust,
you may barely notice your symptoms. The exception is mitral valve prolapse
(MVP), where symptoms are common, but may not reflect the severity of your
valve disease. |
