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8 Surprising Signs of Heart Disease in Men!
India is on its way to become the heart disease capital of the world. A sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy eating habits, diabetes, and stress are major contributors to this trend. Almost half of the urban men and one-third of rural men suffer from some kind of heart disease. There can be many causes that may affect heart health. Many of them cannot recognize cardiac trouble. Only when they experience a heart attack, they become aware of the problem. Since prevention is better than cure, it is better to be wary of the symptoms that point to cardiac problems. Some signs and symptoms of heart disease in men.- Constriction in the Chest
This is one of the more common signs of heart trouble. If you have been experiencing any pain, tightness or any pressure in your chest, please consult your doctor immediately. The feeling of discomfort comes and passes and may last from a few minutes to a few hours.- Physical Exhaustion
Unexplained fatigue and severe exhaustion are significant signs of heart disease. Many men cannot even climb stairs or even walk small distances before an impending heart attack. Notice if you are unable to do the regular chores, especially if you could do them without any issues earlier. Some heart trouble could be brewing, and you should not ignore it.- Erectile Dysfunction
One of the main reasons for erectile dysfunction is that insufficient quantities of blood are reaching the penis. Plaque buildup reduces the flow of the blood and causes damage to the blood vessels. This stands true for the heart and the other extremities. If someone is facing persistent erectile dysfunction, they must get checked for heart problems.- Snoring
Sleep apnea is when there are breaks in breathing while one is sleeping. Some symptoms of this are gasping for breath mid-sleep, feeling exhausted in spite of a regular bedtime and snoring. The pauses in breathing can lead to raised blood pressure, stress on the heart and increased risks of heart disease.Also Read: What is a Fever Dream? Understanding Its Causes and Implications- Sweating
Sweating without any strenuous activity? This could signal a heart attack. Call for an ambulance as it would be dangerous to drive yourself to the hospital.- Tummy Troubles
Nausea, heartburn, indigestion or stomach ache could point to heart problems. Some people even heave up and vomit. These symptoms could also be because of a stomach bug, but if the symptoms increase on physical exertion and reduce on rest, then they are because of some cardiac issue.Also Read: What Causes Night Sweats in Men: Insights from Medical Research- Pain in the Arm or Jaw
One of the more telling signs of heart disease is the pain that radiates from the chest towards the arm, specifically the left arm and the jaw.- Lightheadedness
Suddenly feeling dizzy and having chest pain or feeling breathless? Rush to the hospital. Lightheadedness happens because of a sudden dip in blood pressure.Seek medical attention if you suffer from any of these symptoms. If you have diabetes, hypertension or a family history of heart trouble, you are at risk.Also Read: 8 Signs of Heart Disease in WomenDisclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.8 Signs of Heart Diseases In Women!
Many of us are aware of the initial symptoms of heart disease. Chest pains are the most obvious indicator, but did you know that signs of a heart attack are different in women than men? An unhealthy lifestyle, inactivity, eating too much junk food or food rich in calories, genetic predisposition and stress are major contributing factors affecting women’s heart health. Estrogen, a hormone secreted by the female bodies, exerts a protective influence on the heart as it causes dilation of blood vessels. Certain kinds of heart disease like stroke, congestive heart failure and hypertension are more common in women.
Some of the signs of heart disease in women
Unexplained Fatigue
If you are unable to take the stairs or bring in the grocery bags from the car, chances are you could be suffering from heart disease. More women than men suffer from unexplained exhaustion. If there are certain activities that you are unable to do now but could do earlier, go for a checkup.
Women often describe heart attack pain as pressure or tightness. And it’s possible to have a heart attack without chest pain. Women are more likely than men to have heart attack symptoms unrelated to chest pain, such as: Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper belly (abdomen) discomfort.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Dizziness
This is another common sign of heart disease that is more apparent in women than in men. Nausea and lightheadedness occur when blood pressure dips suddenly. This could happen because of the heart not functioning properly. Do not ignore it if you are feeling faint.
Indigestion or Gassy Pain
Another sign of heart attack, that more women than men experience, is suffering from indigestion or gas-like ache. The nerves of the stomach and the heart are closely related. Don’t ignore this pain or mistake it for stomach troubles. Consult a doctor if you are suspicious.
Although women develop heart disease about 10 years later than men, they are likely to fare worse after a heart attack, 1/3 of heart attacks in women are believed to go unnoticed or unreported, reporting immediately on the appearance of such symptoms is very crucial.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Pain In Arms and Jaw
Many women complain of suffering from pain radiating towards the arms and the jaw. Many also feel this pain between the shoulder blades.
Chest Pain
Both men and women experience chest pain if suffering a heart attack. It could be felt as a numbing sensation, heaviness or as a sense of impending doom.
Must Read: First Aid for Heart Attack – How To Deal With Heart Attack
Sweating
If you break into a sweat without any reason, you could be suffering from heart disease. Call the ambulance immediately. Don’t attempt to drive yourself to the hospital.
Women and men share most risk factors for heart disease — including high cholesterol, inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, and smoking — but there are some gender differences in its development, symptoms, and prognosis. Compared with men, women have a greater chance of dying from heart disease; they’re twice as likely to have a second heart attack within six years of the first; and they don’t fare as well after bypass surgery or angioplasty. On the other hand, women tend to develop heart disease about 10 years later than men.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
Sleep Disturbances
Another sign of cardiac trouble found more in women is disturbed sleep. Sleeping too much or too less or too many breaks in sleep are not good for your heart’s health.
Breathlessness
Shortness of breath, even without any exertion, is a marked indicator of heart disease. Some women even start feeling clammy when suffering a heart attack. They feel as if they have run a marathon but they have not even moved a muscle.
Heart disease is more fatal in women than men as women are less likely to consult a doctor or get their symptoms checked. They are also less likely to get their tests done. Be aware of causes that may affect your heart health. Early detection of heart disease can lead to earlier control of the situation and therefore, less damage to the heart muscles.
Also read: 20 Essential Healthy Heart Tips To Take Care of Your Heart
