Symptoms of heart disease and its prevention is important to recognize as anticipation. Many people do not realize that they have heart disease until finally the heart disorder is only known when there are complications.
Symptoms of heart disease basically occur because the heart is no longer working effectively or the heart is not getting enough oxygen. By knowing the symptoms of heart disease and its prevention, you are expected to be able to anticipate and prevent the occurrence of this disease.
Some Symptoms of Heart Disease and Its Prevention
The following are symptoms of heart disease that are commonly experienced:
1. Chest pain
One of the most common symptoms of heart disease is chest pain. The pain felt by the patient is usually in the form of discomfort or pain along the front of the body, namely between the neck and upper abdomen.
In general, chest pain is caused by impaired blood flow to the heart. As a result, the heart does not get enough blood rich in oxygen and nutrients. This type of chest pain is also known as angina pectoris.
Chest pain from angina can recur if it is triggered by physical and emotional stress. However, this pain usually goes away when the sufferer stops the stressful activity.
Chest pain that is felt in each person can vary. For example, the chest feels very heavy as if being pressed or burning pain in the chest.
2. Shortness of breath
When the heart cannot pump blood as it should, the blood from the lungs that should go to the heart will be blocked. As a result, fluid will accumulate in the lungs and the sufferer becomes difficult to breathe. This condition is called pulmonary edema and usually occurs in heart failure.
Depending on the severity or type of heart failure, sufferers may experience shortness of breath in the following conditions:
- During strenuous activity
- While resting or doing light activities
- When lying on your back
3. Swelling in the calves, feet, or ankles
Swollen legs are also a common symptom of heart disease. This condition occurs when the heart muscle cannot work optimally and causes backflow of blood from the lower part of the body unable to return to the heart. As a result, blood is stuck in the legs and there is a buildup of fluid (edema) there
Blocked blood flow not only causes swollen feet, but also pain, aches, and discomfort in the leg muscles or it can be numb. These symptoms often appear, especially when patients walk or exercise. However, it usually goes away after a few minutes of resting and lifting the leg.
4. Fatigue
Fatigue certainly has various causes. Often times being tired just means that you need more rest. However, you need to be vigilant when experiencing severe fatigue even though you do not do much activity, because it can be a symptom of more serious diseases, including heart disease.
Fatigue to watch out for as a symptom of heart disease are:
- Fatigue that is much heavier than usual, especially in women
- Fatigue that prevents you from doing light daily activities
- Fatigue that occurs suddenly and is very severe
Heart disease cannot be completely cured and requires lifelong treatment. However, you can avoid the symptoms of heart disease by taking various prevention efforts, for example by adopting a healthy lifestyle that can improve your heart health, such as:
The following are some efforts to prevent heart disease symptoms that you can do:
- Quit smoking
- Exercise at least 30 minutes every day
- Eat foods that are low in salt and saturated fat
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Reduce and manage stress
- Keep it clean
- Regular health control, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels
It's important to keep in mind the symptoms of heart disease and its prevention, especially if you have risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity or a family history of heart disease. If necessary, you can consult with your doctor about what precautions you can take to avoid heart disease.