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Our heart often gives us warning signals long before a serious problem develops. The early signs of heart disease are sometimes subtle and easy to dismiss. But recognising them early can make all the difference. This enables timely treatment, lifestyle adjustments, and an improved quality of life.
The Department of Cardiology at Manipal Hospital Salt Lake is proficient in treating and managing heart disease. The state-of-the-art technologies and the expertise of some of the best heart specialists in the country ensure the right diagnosis and timely intervention to save lives.
Synopsis
What are the different types of heart disease?
‘Heart disease’ or ‘cardiovascular disease’ is a broad term that includes several heart conditions, like:
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Ischemic Heart Disease: This is also known as coronary artery disease and is the most common type of heart disease. In this condition, arteries that carry blood to the heart become narrow due to fatty deposits (plaque) and the blood flow to a certain part of the heart is suddenly blocked. This damages the heart muscle and leads to a heart attack.
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Heart Failure: This happens when the heart becomes weak to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s requirements.
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Rheumatic Heart Disease: This is caused by rheumatic fever, where the heart valves are damaged.
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Arrhythmias: This relates to palpitations or abnormal heart rhythms like very fast, very slow or irregular heartbeats.
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Congenital Heart Disease: These are structural or functional defects of the heart present since birth.
What are the risk factors?
Several factors can contribute to enhancing the possibilities of heart disease, these include:
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Family History: Chances are higher (due to inherited genes) if any close relative has suffered heart disease, especially at a young age.
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Age: The risk increases with age (generally after 45 for men and 55 for women).
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Lifestyle: Unhealthy choices like smoking, alcohol addiction, inactivity, and poor dietary habits are associated with a higher risk.
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Pre-existing Health Conditions: Health issues such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol levels can multiply the chances of developing heart disease.
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Air Pollution: Pollution can cause inflammation, blood vessel damage, and plaque build-up that strain the heart.
10 early signs of heart disease in adults
While heart disease may vary in types, a few symptoms are common for most cases. Watch out for the red flags:
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Pain or Discomfort in the Chest: A sensation of fullness, squeezing, or pressure that radiates to the arm, neck or jaw (especially on the left side of the body). This is mostly triggered by stress or physical activity.
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Breathlessness: Difficulty in breathing during normal activities or even at rest.
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Persistent Fatigue: Tiredness on minor exertion is an indication of improper functioning of the heart.
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Dizziness: Reduced blood flow to the brain can cause light-headedness during any activity.
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Irregularity in Heartbeat: Arrhythmias or other heart-related issues can reflect through a racing, fluttering or pounding heart.
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Oedema: Fluid retention in the lower extremities leading to swelling in the legs, ankles or feet.
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Cough and Wheezing: A cough associated with watery sputum and a wheezing sound can be a sign of heart failure.
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Cold Sweat with Nausea: Unexplained episodes of cold sweat along with nausea.
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Diabetes and Hypertension: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels and elevated blood pressure can be significant indicators.
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Indigestion or Acid Reflux-like Discomfort: This can mimic heartburn (which is a digestive problem) but may be a heart-related symptom.
Signs and symptoms of congenital heart disease (CHD)
In certain cases, the blood vessels of the heart may not develop correctly during the fetal development stage. This can interfere with the structure and function of the heart and lead to CHD. The signs and symptoms of congenital heart disease are:
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Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
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Cyanosis or a bluish colour to the skin, lips, and nails (due to low oxygen levels in the blood)
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Excessive sweating, especially during or after feeding
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Lethargy or fatigue
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Weakness and difficulty in gaining weight
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Abnormal sound during a heartbeat (murmur)
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Swelling in the belly, legs and around the eyes
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Fussiness and agitation
Early signs of heart disease: Males Vs Females
The manifestation and progression of heart disease are different in men as compared to women. Men are more prone to having heart attacks from blockages of larger arteries. Whereas women tend to develop issues with the smaller blood vessels. Men become susceptible to heart disease about ten years before women. The similarities and differences of the early signs of heart disease in males and females are:
Similarities
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Chest discomfort
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Shortness of breath
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Light-headedness or dizziness
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Palpitation
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Pain radiating to the jaw, neck, back and arm
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Indigestion/heartburn
Differences
Males
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Crushing chest pain or angina
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Pain radiates to the left arm or shoulder
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Symptoms appear during physical activity
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Nausea is rare
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Profuse sweating
Females
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Mild or vague chest discomfort
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Pain radiates to the upper stomach and back (between the shoulder blades)
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Symptoms can appear during rest or sleep
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Nausea and vomiting are frequent
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Mild sweating
How to prevent heart disease?
The risk of developing heart disease (other than CHD) can be reduced to a great extent with awareness towards heart health. It is important to:
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Adopt a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, avoidance of first-hand and second-hand smoking, and reduced alcohol consumption.
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Get regular health check-ups for early detection of risk factors and heart-related complications for management.
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Monitor and keep a check on blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
When to seek medical help?
The first 60 minutes of a cardiac emergency are known as the crucial ‘Golden Hour’. A patient receiving the right medical help in this span can have higher chances of survival and complete recovery. It is advisable to seek emergency help or reach the nearest ER if the following symptoms are noticed:
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Sudden chest pain (radiating to the jaw, neck, arm or back)
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Severe shortness of breath
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Fainting spell or light-headedness
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Profuse cold sweat
Conclusion
Recognising the early signs of heart disease can be crucial in preventing serious cardiac events. Ignoring these symptoms can help the condition progress silently and lead to irreversible damage. Likewise, timely detection can allow sufficient time for implementing lifestyle changes, medical intervention, and effective management of associated risk factors.
Consult a top Cardiologist at the Manipal Hospitals Salt Lake, Kolkata, if you or your dearest people experience any of these symptoms and get expert advice.
FAQ's
Yes, symptoms like indigestion, fatigue, or anxiety can overlap with heart disease, which is why proper diagnosis is crucial.
Frequent severe headaches, especially with high blood pressure, can be associated with cardiovascular problems.
Common tests include ECG, echocardiogram, stress test, blood tests for cholesterol and sugar, and sometimes coronary calcium scoring.
It varies. Some people progress slowly, while others can have a sudden heart attack. That is why early evaluation is critical.
Yes, heart disease may be manifested by fatigue, breathlessness, or reduced stamina without any pain.
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