Posts Tagged ‘coronary heart disease’

The signs of common heart problems are not always easily recognized. Some symptoms of coronary heart disease need immediate attention. Other symptoms may not even be related to the heart. How can you tell the difference?

Common heart problems have many symptoms. If you are at all concerned that you are having symptoms of coronary heart disease — call your doctor. In fact, it is a good idea to let your doctor know of any symptoms you suspect might be related to your heart. By recognizing these you might prevent a heart attack!

Do you ever feel so tired that you can’t even seem to finish small jobs? Have you had a feeling of bloat in your stomach? Nausea? How about finding it difficult at times to get a breath, or to breathe easily, even if you have not exerted yourself in any way? All of these may very well be symptoms of heart disease and you will want to report them to your doctor. Pronto.

Your heart might race, or beat irregularly — heart palpitations. You may have pains in your chest. These are other signs or symptoms of heart disease.

Smoking, excessive drinking, and substance abuse can elevate symptoms of heart disease. You are also at greater risk if there is a history of common heart problems in your family. So share any of those risk factors, and if you are having the above mentioned signs, particularly if they are combined, call your doctor right away. If you cannot get hold of him you probably should go into the hospital emergency room. Have a friend or family member drive you.

Late stage symptoms of heart disease that may indicate you are going into cardiac arrest include the severe pain in your chest; inability to breathe; profuse sweat; inability to breathe; accelerated heart rate; fainting spells; severe, unbearable headaches; loss of consciousness. If you have any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

If you are concerned about your symptoms, but don’t feel like you are in immediate danger, at least call your doctor. On the other hand, if you are having the severe symptoms and you are becoming afraid – call 911 or get an immediate ride to the emergency room. Do not wait to see if the symptoms subside on their own. Time is of the essence!

Have you ever had a panic attack? People who suffer them describe them as overwhelming and marked by extreme nervousness and fear. A person having a stress induced attack of anxiety finds it difficult to function normally.

Since fear is an overwhelming symptom of an attack of anxiety, the brain tells the body that it is in danger. It tells the body, in a sense, that it must be put on full alert. Be ready to fight or flight!

The body organs get the message from the brain to prepare for an emergency. The heart starts pumping blood faster to supply the organs extra energy. Muscles start tensing, eyes dilate and are on alert, hearing is keener.

When the brain signals the body is in danger the heart races providing emergency blood to the other organs: The eyes are on alert, the muscles tighten and tense, hearing is keener — literally every part of your body is called on for greater energy.

When does the body reach its breaking point? Half the brain is saying: whoa! Slow down. We can’t keep this up. The other half is reading the anxiety and continues to scream: Danger! The heart races, slows down, races, slows down. Eventually it becomes too much. And it stops.

Stress induced anxiety, leading to panic, can have dangerous results:

* Rising and falling blood pressure * Accelerated heart beat * It becomes hard to breathe normally * The body feels cold * Nervousness and shaking

Stress induced anxiety plays dangerously with the body. It is no wonder that common heart problems very often are referred to as stress heart problems. Now you can see why!

No wonder stress can cause you heart problems. You have to find a way to reduce anxiety or it will eventually cause your brain to give constant mixed signals to all of your organs — taxing them to the limit.