Heart disease, the world’s leading cause of death, involves a range of conditions that affect the heart. This includes coronary artery disease (CAD), where the arteries that supply blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked. The British Heart Foundation (BHF) estimates that coronary heart disease alone affects an astonishing 20 million people and that the disease kills around 9 million people a year. In 2019, it was also declared the single biggest killer in the world.

These alarming statistics not only highlight the importance of understanding the root causes of heart disease, but also the need to be on the lookout for subtle signs that can help detect heart disease early. I am.

So, when I spoke to the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr. Shwanan Roy, Head, Cardiology, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, Kolkata; We highlight the five main symptoms of heart disease and explain how to not only prevent but manage the condition.

Also read: Is your heart okay? What five important tests will tell you

Pain or discomfort in and around the chest

Chest pain is the most common symptom of heart disease and is caused by decreased blood and oxygen flow to the heart. This condition is also known as angina pectoris, which the American Heart Association (AHA) describes as “a feeling of tightness or tightness in the chest.”

palpitations

Also known as arrhythmia, this condition refers to an uneven or irregular heartbeat, explains Dr. Roy. A condition caused by the heart’s inability to pump blood, often described as a racing, racing, or jumping sensation.

difficulty breathing

People with heart disease often experience shortness of breath, also known as difficulty breathing. This occurs when the heart is no longer able to pump blood and blood builds up in the veins that connect the heart to the lungs. This buildup causes fluid to leak into the lungs, causing shortness of breath.

edema

Dr Roy said: ‘Edema, which simply refers to swelling of the feet, ankles and legs, is caused by a reduction in the heart’s ability to pump blood to different parts of the body, slowing the flow of blood and subsequently causing swelling in the tissues. Blood builds up in the feet, ankles, or legs (may also be in other parts of the body). This causes fluid to build up within the tissues, causing edema. ”

excessive sweating

Doctors say excessive sweating is one of the main symptoms of heart disease.

“When the heart is no longer able to perform the cardiac activity that pumps blood properly to different parts of the body, the body puts additional pressure on the heart to facilitate blood flow. This additional pressure can cause a person to sweat excessively. ,” he says.

Also read: Excessive sweating: causes and treatments

How to prevent heart disease?

When it comes to preventing heart disease, lifestyle changes can help. These include:

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet and avoiding foods high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar can prevent heart disease.
• Reduce bad consumption habits such as smoking and drinking.
• regular physical activity
• Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity
• Blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol management
• Managing stress and anxiety
• develop good sleep habits

“In addition, people diagnosed with heart disease require treatment to control the complications that may arise. Depending on the type of heart disease and the causative factors, two types of treatment are carried out. ” says Dr. Roy. These include:

• Drugs such as beta blockers, aspirin, statins, and ACE inhibitors.
• Surgery such as heart transplantation, coronary artery bypass grafting, and balloon angioplasty.

conclusion

Heart disease is complex because it includes many different conditions that can cause different types of complications. To make matters worse, most heart diseases have no symptoms. This means that there are often no symptoms, or even if symptoms are present, they are often mistaken for other benign diseases. Regardless, it’s important to recognize the subtle signs and symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations. Additionally, be sure to make the necessary changes to your lifestyle to prevent heart disease and reduce your risk of developing it.