Read the text. What your heart is telling you

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.

What Are the Symptoms? Although each type of heart diseases has its own symptoms, there is some overlap. Bear in mind, however, that some forms of heart dis­eases may have no noticeable symptoms.

Coronary Artery Disease

• Angina is a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burnine fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mis«taken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina is usually felt in the chesl but may also be felt in the left shoulder, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back.

• Shortness of breath.

• Palpitations (irregular heart beats, skipped beats, or a "flip-flofB feeling in your chest).

• Rapid heartbeat.

• Weakness or dizziness.

• Nausea.

• Sweating.

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infraction or Ml) Symptoms can include:

• Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest or left arm

• Fullness, indigestion or choking feeling (may feel like heartl burn).

• Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat, or arm.

• Sweating, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness.

• Extreme weakness, anxiety, or shortness of breath.

• Rapid or irregular heartbeats.

Heart attack symptoms usually last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or by taking heart medication called nitroglycerin! However, some people have a heart attack without having any symp-J toms (a "silent" heart attack). A silent heart attack can occur amonJ all people, though it occurs more often among diabetics.

If you think you are having a heart attack, DO NOT DELAY. Quick treatment of a heart attack is very important to lessen th< amount of damage to your heart.

Heart Failure Symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath (often causes a hacking cough).

• Quick weight gain (a weight gain of two or three pounds in one day is possible).

• Swelling in ankles, legs, and abdomen.

• Dizziness.

• Fatigue and weakness.

• Rapid or irregular heartbeats.

• Other symptoms include nausea, palpitations, chest pain, wak­ing up suddenly at night, unable to breathe, and changes in sleep pat­terns.

Heart failure symptoms may not be related to how weak your Mart is. You may have many symptoms, but your heart function in,iy be only mildly weakened. Or you may have a severely damaged fleart, but no symptoms.

Arrhythmias Symptoms may include:

• Palpitations (a feeling of skipped heart beats, fluttering or "flip-Hops," or feeling that your heart is "running away").

• Pounding in your chest.

• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting.

• Shortness of breath.

• Chest discomfort.

• Weakness or fatigue.

Heart Valve Disease Symptoms can include:

• Shortness of breath and/or difficulty when catching your breath.

• Weakness or dizziness.

• Discomfort in your chest. You may feel pressure or weight in your chest with activity or when going out in cold air.

• Palpitations (this may feel like a rapid heart rhythm, irregular heartbeat, skipped beats, or a flip-flop feeling in your chest).

If valve disease causes heart failure, symptoms may include:

• Swelling of your ankles, feet, or abdomen. Swelling may also occur in your belly which may cause you to feel bloated.

• Quick weight gain (a weight gain of two or three pounds in one day is possible).

Symptoms are not always related to the seriousness of your valve disease. You may have no symptoms at all and have severe valve disease, requiring prompt treatment. Or you may have severe symp­toms, yet tests may show minor valve disease.

Congenital Heart Disease Symptoms of adults, if present, may include:

• Shortness of breath.

• Limited ability to exercise.

• Symptoms of heart failure (see above) or valve disease (seel above).

Congenital Heart Disease of Infants and Children Symptoms can include:

• Cyanosis (a bluish tint of the skin, fingernails, and lips).

• Fast breathing and poor feeding.

• Poor weight gain.

• Recurrent lung infections.

• Inability to exercise.

Heart Muscle Disease (Cardiomyopathy) Many people with heart muscle disease have no symptoms or only minor symptoms and live a normal life.

Other people develop symptoms, which progress and worsen as heart function worsens.

Symptoms can occur at any age and may include:

• Chest pain or pressure (occurs usually with exercise or physical activity, but can also occur with rest or after meals).

• Heart failure symptoms (see above).

• Swelling of the lower extremities.

• Fatigue.

• Fainting.

• Palpitations (fluttering in the chest due to abnormal heart rhythms).

A small number of people with cardiomyopathy can suddenly die.

Pericarditis If present, symptoms of pericarditis may include:

• Chest pain. This pain is different from angina. It may be sharp and located in the center of the chest. The pain may radiate to the neck and, occasionally, to the arms and back. It is made worse when lying down, coughing, or swallowing, and relieved by sitting forward.

• Low-grade fever.

• Increased heart rate.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You experience unusual chest pain, particularly if it persists ur recurs. It may be heartburn, but it could also indicate a heart,iil,ick.

• You experience recurrent disturbances of heartbeat (heart ar­rhythmias). If frequent or persistent, irregular heartbeats may signal.1 serious heart condition.

• You become suddenly dizzy, lightheaded, weak, or faint. Even if 11 if cause is not heart disease, it could be serious.

If you think you are having a heart attack, DO NOT DELAY. Call lor emergency help. Quick treatment of a heart attack is very impor-l.int to lessen the amount of damage to your heart.

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Дата добавления: 2015-08-13