Did you know, heart disease is the leading cause of death in women. Quoted from US Food & DrugsAlthough it is often experienced by men, heart disease causes the most deaths in women. In order to be prevented early on, you need to know the 12 signs of heart disease.
Recognizing the signs of heart disease early is important to get the right treatment, so it doesn’t cause fatal complications. What are the characteristics of heart disease? Here are 12 signs of heart disease to watch out for.
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12 Signs of Heart Disease You Need to Know
Heart disease consists of many types, for example heart attack, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and others. However, the signs are generally the same. Apart from chest pain, here are 12 signs of heart disease to watch out for:
- Dizzy.
- Fever.
- Heart rate slows down.
- Pain in the throat, jaw, back, neck and arms.
- Rashes on the skin.
- Nauseous.
- Hard to breathe.
- Prolonged dry cough.
- Cold feet and hands.
- Faint.
- Fatigue.
- Swelling in the eye area, abdomen, arms or legs.
Heart Disease Complications
If not treated quickly and appropriately, heart disease has the risk of becoming life-threatening complications, namely:
- Stroke, namely the blockage of the arteries to the brain, so that the blood supply received by the brain is not enough.
- An aneurysm, which is an enlargement of the arterial wall, should not be taken lightly, because it carries a risk of death.
- Heart failure, which is when the heart can’t carry enough blood around the body. This disease is triggered by heart infections, coronary heart disease, or heart defects.
- The heart stops suddenly, namely the function of the heart stops suddenly, so that the sufferer cannot breathe and is unconscious. If not treated immediately, this situation is at risk of death.
Heart Disease Risk Factors
There are a number of triggers for a person to get heart disease, both internal and external, namely:
1. Age
The older a person is, the higher the risk of narrowing of the arteries and weakening or thickening of the heart muscle, thus triggering heart disease. Heart disease is usually experienced by men, but women are also at risk of heart disease after menopause
2. Family history
Someone with a parent with heart disease, especially if it is experienced after 55 years, is at high risk of developing heart disease. In addition, an unhealthy lifestyle increases the risk of heart disease.
3. Smoking habits
Smokers are at high risk for heart disease. This is because the content of nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes risks damaging the inner lining of the heart and narrowing blood vessels.
4. Unhealthy diet
Consumption of foods high in cholesterol, fat, sugar, and excessive salt triggers an increase in blood pressure and causes narrowing or thickening of blood vessels, thereby increasing a person’s risk of developing heart disease.
5. Stress
Mental health disorders, such as stress and anxiety, are at risk for heart disease. Stress causes a person to be lazy to exercise or do physical activity or eat foods that are not nutritious, thus triggering a heart attack.
6. Obesity
Maintaining an ideal body weight will prevent you from various diseases. Obesity increases the risk of several diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and asthma.
Prevention of heart disease starts with a balanced diet and managing stress. However, if you have the risk factors for heart disease above, immediately go to the doctor for examination and treatment as soon as possible.
