What Causes Heart Disease and What are the Signs of Heart Disease?

One of the top leading causes of death in developed countries all around the world is on the rise. What is that killer? Heart disease. Heart disease is a result of hereditary causes, modern lifestyles, and overall increased longevity. Modern technology and modern medicine have come a long way. Thankfully, even though heart disease can have a devastating impact on one’s life, modern medicine offers several different types of effective treatments for those suffering from heart disease. Those options include medication, lifestyle coaching, and even surgical procedures.

Causes of Heart Disease

Preventing heart disease is always better than trying to cure it. So, let’s look at some ways that you can put yourself in the best situation to steer clear from the diagnoses, to begin with. Then, we will take a look at some of the warning signs that you may have heart disease. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any signs you are having that may point to heart disease. When attending an appointment with a cardiologist in Dacula GA, be sure to bring a list of questions you may have so you do not forget anything during your appointment.

Genetics

Some have the predisposition that causes them to be more likely for heart disease. Due to genetics, heart disease isn’t always preventable but you can work on being as healthy as you possibly can to reduce the risk. Living a healthy lifestyle can go a long way though. Thankfully, the greatest influence genetics has when it comes to heart disease is making us more aware and more proactive to make those necessary adjustments to give us the best outcome possible.

Smoking

Obesity and smoking are the two greatest contributors to the deadly disease. Let’s first take a look at how smoking causes heart disease. When you smoke, your blood pressure increases to more dangerous levels. Higher blood pressure increases the strain on your heart. Aside from blood pressure, smoking causes a build-up of fatty deposits inside the arteries. This causes problems with circulation. Stopping smoking (and any other unhealthy practices such as drinking alcohol) can drastically help aid in reducing your risk.

Obesity

Just like smoking, being obese often comes along with high blood pressure. It also usually means that you are not a healthy eater. You may be lacking the nutrients your body was designed to need for good health. You may be missing key minerals that your heart needs to function properly. It also means, if you aren’t eating healthy, you are filling your body with harmful substances that increase your chances of clogged arteries. Changing your eating habits, alone, can go a long way in eliminating further damage to your heart. Adding exercise and reducing your weight is also very helpful.

Symptoms of Heart Disease

Heart disease can have dramatic and subtle symptoms. The diagnosis of heart disease is often given later than it could have been given because the symptoms of heart disease can also be the symptoms of less dangerous medical conditions. A trip to your primary care physician is highly recommended if you begin to have even one of the symptoms below.

Short of Breath

It is normal to become out of breath when you are physically active. If you find yourself out of breath doing daily tasks, that is a sign that you need to take notice of. Breathlessness can be a sign that your heart may be under too much pressure.

Heart Palpitations

If your heart feels that it is beating unevenly or pounding, it can be a sign of an anxiety attack. After an intense workout, you might also feel your heart pound. However, heart palpitations can feel the same way. If you do not typically suffer from anxiety and you have not just wrapped up an extreme workout, you may be battling heart palpitations from heart disease.

Tingling

Low circulation can cause a tingling feeling in your extremities like your fingers, toes, and even your lips. If your circulatory system is not able to deliver enough oxygen, you will feel the effects on your fingers, toes, and lips. If you get to the point that you not only have tingling in your extremities but they also begin to turn blueish, seek medical attention immediately.

Tightness of the Chest

The sign everyone knows about and is the most obvious symptom of heart disease is the feeling of pain or tightness in your chest. This is a condition called angina. Even if it isn’t severe, if you feel more constant pressure in your chest, contact your doctor immediately. If the chest pain becomes more severe, a trip to the closest emergency department is advised. If it is not full-blown heart disease, you might be able to be treated with medication.

It is always best to be checked out thoroughly if you feel any of these symptoms. Living a healthy lifestyle is important but regardless of how healthy you may feel, know the signs of heart disease and seek medical attention if you notice changes to your heart health.