Heart diseases can be seen in people of all ages and genders. Apart from chest pain and tightness, which are known as the general symptom of heart diseases, there are various symptoms. Factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and smoking increase the risk of heart disease. Many symptoms of heart disease are unknown, according to doctors. This increases the risk of death from heart disease.
UNKNOWN SYMPTOMS OF HEART DISEASE
JAW AND NECK PAIN
The next time you go to the gym, pay attention to how your neck and chin feel. “While most people with underlying heart disease describe chest pressure with exercise/strain, sometimes the only symptom is jaw or neck pain,” says McGowan. “Don’t ignore jaw or neck pain with exercise.”
EXUDE
Have you ever sweated for no reason? Sure, if you’re going through menopause, it could be hot flashes, but it could also be a symptom of something more serious. Doctors state that suddenly feeling sweaty without exertion can cause anxiety. “Most people know they should watch out for chest pain, but ignore other important indicators,” she says, noting that sudden unexplained sweating can be an easily overlooked indicator of heart disease.
NAUSEA
McGowan also notes that nausea is a common symptom of heart disease. “Other symptoms of underlying heart disease or heart attack may include nausea and sweating,” he says. “If you have risk factors for heart disease, it is very important to be checked to see if you develop the symptoms mentioned above.” Women in particular need to be vigilant about how their bodies are feeling. “It is notable that women have atypical presentations for heart disease more often than men,” explains McGowan.
INSOMNIA
Cardiologist Ernst von Schwarz, MD, PhD, says heart disease may also be behind your sleepless nights. “Most people with heart disease suffer from insomnia, but they are often treated only with sleeping pills rather than assessing possible causes,” he explains, “ignoring the sign of heart disease resulting in a lack of appropriate testing.”
TIREDNESS
All the doctors who spoke to Best Life describe fatigue as the number one symptom of heart disease that most people ignore. “Fatigue is often the result of the force of contraction of the heart muscle (as in heart failure) or a lack of oxygen (as in coronary artery disease),” says von Schwartz, who states that people with heart disease can find it. Heart patients “feel low on energy and tired.”