Image via SBS
Have you ever wondered if it’s time to get your heart checked? Maybe you have, but you keep putting it off probably out of fear, or you’re just not sure whether it’s time to do it.
The heart, as you already know, is an important organ which pumps blood throughout our body via the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the tissues while also removing carbon dioxide and other wastes.
When you have an unhealthy heart, you risk getting diseases such as a heart attack (which is also the leading cause of death in Malaysia), deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, and stroke.
Here are some of the signs that you should watch out for:
(Note: Some/all of these symptoms may happen simultaneously)
#1 Your chest feels uncomfortable
When there’s a blockage of blood supply to you heart muscle, your chest will start feeling painful as it exerts itself.
#2 When you have high total cholesterol and/or high blood pressure
If you have high cholesterol (more than 200 mg/dL) and/or high blood pressure, you have a greater chance of getting a heart disease.
#3 When you find it hard to breathe
Finding it hard to breathe even if you just did a small activity, like walking for five minutes? Your heart could be in trouble.
#4 Pain on the left side of your body
Image via Shutterstock
When you feel pain spreading down the left side of your body, it’s a well-known symptom that you’re about to get a heart attack.
#5 Swollen legs, feet and ankles
Image via Shutterstock
This is a sign that your heart isn’t pumping blood as effectively as it should. When that happens, the blood backs up in your veins and causes swelling. Another reason for swelling is that when your heart’s not functioning well, it becomes difficult for your kidneys to remove extra water from your body.
#6 Atrial fibrillation (irregular/quivering heartbeat)
Image via Shutterstock
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat. This happens when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly instead of beating effectively to move blood into your ventricles. It can lead to stroke, blood clots, heart failure and other heart complications.
Having AF increases the risk of a blood clot forming inside your heart. You can get a stroke if it travels to the brain. A few symptoms include experiencing palpitations, shortness of breath (as mentioned before), dizziness and tiredness.
If it’s time to go for that heart check-up, and you’re not sure where to go…
Cardiologists at Columbia Asia Hospital Cheras are highly trained and skilled in providing medical services, diagnosis and treatments of the heart.
On top of its expertise in cardiovascular care, Columbia Asia Hospital Cheras also provides Interventional Cardiology—which detects early heart conditions and provides non-invasive treatments.
Click here to learn more about its services. You could be saving a life—or yours—today.
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4