World Heart Day 2024: Are You Ignoring These 6 Early Warning Signs of Heart Disease?

World Heart Day 2024: Indians are known to have the highest Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) risk. But, Why? Is it due to ignorance of signs and symptoms?

World Heart Day 2024: Every part of your body, from cells to organs, is crucial in maintaining holistic wellness. The heart stands out as it pumps blood, regulates heart rate, and controls blood pressure and body temperature. Irregular lifestyle, smoking, stress, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are potential contributors to heart disease. Given the heart's vital role in our body, detecting early signs and taking preventive measures is crucial. Early detection can significantly improve the chances of successful treatment. Let's delve into the early signs of heart disease.

Heart Disease in India: Understanding The Current Situation

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in India, a fact that should raise our collective concern. Heart disease affects the heart muscles and functioning, including coronary artery diseases, heart rhythm disorders, rheumatic heart diseases, and heart valve issues. States like Kerala, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu account for the highest rate of CVDs.

Rheumatic heart disease is common for people under 25, with 1.5 to 2 cases per 1000 people. Globally, 17.9 million people are affected by heart disease. People with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, family history, medical history, smoking, and inactive lifestyle are at high risk.

Early Signs of Heart Disease

High blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are major risks leading to heart disease. It is important to detect early signs of heart disease and take timely intervention. Here are 10 early signs of heart disease.

Chest Pain

Chest pain is an early sign of heart disease. You often ignore chest pain, which may lead to a heart attack. If you feel heaviness, tightness, and pressure in your chest, you are experiencing chronic chest pain. In such a condition, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional.

Arm, Jaw, and Back Pain

Back pain is one common sign of early heart disease. People with a sedentary lifestyle experience it the most. Are you feeling shoulder, back, jaw, and arm pain? These are early signs of heart disease, heart attack, and coronary artery disease. Also, unexplained pain in the shoulder, arm, jaw, or neck may be an early sign of heart disease. In such cases, proper consultation and preventive measures are recommended.

Excessive Sweating

Sweating at night is a sign of heart problems, especially in women. A clogged or struggling heart may result in excessive sweating. Diaphoresis is a situation describing excessive sweating. It can be an early sign of heart disease.

Dizziness or Weakness

Dizziness is a common minor annoyance that can unbalance the overall system. It can also indicate something serious in the heart, such as a heart attack. Health conditions such as low blood pressure, fluctuation in arteries, or heart attack may cause a typical fainting called neurocardiogenic syncope. It's recommended not to ignore the same.

Fatigue

Extreme tiredness may be a sign of heart disease. If you feel constantly tired, you should check with your doctor. Fatigue, shortness of breath, and extreme tiredness are common signs of compromised heart health.

Palpitations

Racing or missing beats are known as palpitations. These are harmless signs that may cause stress or hormonal changes. They are an early sign of heart disease or an underlying condition (arrhythmia).

Atrial fibrillation is another common arrhythmia that can lead to stroke. Be aware of the signs of irregular heartbeat or palpitations. If your heart is beating irregularly, see your GP.

Preventive Measures To Ensure a Healthy Heart

Heart diseases are a leading NCD health risk in India, which are preventable. There are plenty of prevention measures to lower the risks of heart disease.

1. One of the best ways to prevent heart disease is to avoid smoking or chewing tobacco.
2. Practice exercise for 40-60 minutes daily. It's advisable to indulge in aerobic exercise and strength training.
3. Eat a heart-healthy diet full of whole grains, healthy fats, beans, legumes, and low-fat dairy foods.
4. Make a sleep schedule, which may reduce the risks of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
5. Avoid alcohol, unsaturated fats, high-refined carbohydrates, processed meats, and trans fats.
6. Take tests to prevent infection. Infections may lead to heart diseases, so preventive and diagnostic tests and regular check-ups are taken.

Dr Mayanka Lodha Seth, Chief Pathologist at Redcliffe Labs, said that if ignored and not addressed on time, signs and symptoms of heart disease may lead to stroke, heart attack, and other CVDs. Regular testing may help monitor, diagnose, and treat heart disease. Also, predictive risk markers can help you identify heart health risks, and informed decision-making with necessary preventive measures can help to ensure good health and well-being.

Some important blood tests that can help assess heart health include the Lipid Profile Test, Homocysteine Test, HsCRP Test, Nt-Pro BNP Test, and the High-Sensitivity Troponin I Test. Detection of early signs of heart disease and regular blood tests can help prevent severe, life-threatening diseases.