Heart disease needs to be monitored diligently.
If you’re a middle-aged man, one of your biggest concerns should be heart disease. As the leading causes of death for men 35 and over in the United States, it kills several hundred thousand men per year. But what is heart disease exactly?
One of the reasons it’s such a widespread killer is because heart disease is a kind of blanket definition for a variety of conditions. It includes everything from congenital heart disease to coronary artery disease and arrhythmia.
Today we’re going to discuss signs of heart issues in men so that you can avoid falling victim to one of these conditions. If you can recognize the problem early, there’s a great chance you can prevent any catastrophic events.
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Chest Pain, Tightness, Pressure
Any type of discomfort on the left side of your chest will be alarming. You should never ignore it because it’s the most telltale sign of heart attack, angina, or stroke. This is heart disease of your blood vessels, where plaque silently builds up over time, eventually blocking the vessels.
Chest pain doesn’t only signal coronary heart disease, but also arrhythmia valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, and other defects. If you’re experiencing chest pain, it’s best to contact a doctor immediately. It is possible to improve your heart health, even after something as serious as a heart attack, with cardiac rehabilitation.
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Shortness of Breath Without Activity
Shortness of breath will almost always accompany chest pain, but as a standalone symptom, it could also indicate the early stages of a heart attack, irregular heartbeat, or several other types of heart disease.
The key here is being able to recognize and differentiate between being out of breath because of some physical activity and being out of breath for seemingly no reason at all. If you experience the latter, and especially if it accompanies other symptoms, then you need to get to the hospital.
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Dizziness or Lightheadedness
We all have moments of lightheadedness and/or dizziness, but prolonged spells could mean either arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy. The earliest stages of cardiomyopathy won’t necessarily come with any symptoms, but dizziness may set in and could eventually lead to fainting. In this case, you’ll need immediate medical attention.
Many men brush off lightheadedness as a momentary problem. If you find it occurring more frequently and for a longer period of time, you should notify your doctor at your earliest convenience.
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Swelling In Hands, Legs, Feet
Swelling, tingliness, or off-coloration of your hands, legs, arms, and feet are all signs of heart disease. This usually happens when the blood vessels in your limbs are narrowed, so taking notice of this issue could prevent you from suffering a heart attack.
Of course, swelling and discoloration could also mean congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathy, or valvular heart disease. Getting prompt medical attention is crucial when you find these symptoms.
Being Sensitive to Signs of Heart Issues In Men
Having these symptoms could mean that you’re in an emergency situation, but they could also be early indications of problems you may face down the road. It’s important for those of any age and background to understand the signs of heart issues in men so that you can talk to your doctor and prevent any big issues from cropping up.
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