Heart Disease 101: Symptoms, Heart Care, and More!

You may not think about it at all, but your heart beats around the clock. Heart disease refers to a wide range of conditions that impact your heart’s function. Common heart diseases include coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart valve disease, heart muscle disease, and congenital heart defects. It is extremely important to focus on heart and vascular care, and for that, you should consider regular screenings and checkups. In this post, we are sharing some common symptoms of heart disease and how you can care for your heart better.

Symptoms at a Glance

There are diverse signs and symptoms of heart disease, depending on the condition of the patient. The most common symptom is chest pain, also called angina. There can be severe symptoms such as a stroke and heart attack. If you experienced unexplained shortness of breath, chest heaviness, chest pressure, pain in your left arms and legs, pain in the neck and throat, tachycardia, bradycardia, or general discomfort, you need to see a doctor. Sometimes, an irregular heartbeat results from an increase in physical activities and is not a matter of concern. However, if your symptoms reoccur or you experience usual discomfort, consider going for a routine checkup. 

Preventing Heart Disease

Contrary to what many people believe, heart disease can be prevented. Yes, there are a few risk factors, but you can adopt healthy lifestyle habits and get your heart back in its best health. First and foremost, quit smoking. That’s one of the best things you can do for your heart and lungs. If you have hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol, you need to take steps to manage these conditions. Exercising is extremely important. If nothing else, consider going for a walk at least for 30 minutes each day. Minimize the intake of saturated fats and eat more fresh fruits and veggies. Maintaining your weight can reverse heart disease. 

Seeing a Doctor

Age, sex, and family history are some of the key risk factors for heart disease. If you have experienced unusual symptoms or have been smoking for years, it is wise to consider regular screenings and checkups. Depending on your specific conditions, your doctor can suggest the right medications and lifestyle changes that can help manage your symptoms. Stress management is a key aspect of minimizing your risk of heart disease. 

Consider talking to your doctor about how you can deal with stress in daily life.