Without our heart, we could not perform any bodily function. However, it is not always easy to tell when there is a problem and we should check its functions.
From bleeding gums to unexplained fatigue, the following seemingly unrelated heart-related signs are actually warning us that our body’s basic engine is probably in need of… service.
1. Heavy snoring
Snoring isn’t always dangerous, but when it’s a rumbling daily habit, it could be a sign of sleep apnea. Although people with sleep apnea don’t realize it, they may stop breathing as many as 20 or 30 times an hour during sleep. Because of this breathing disorder, the risk for cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke, increases, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
2. Less leg hair
Although hair loss is one of the natural signs of aging, when it occurs on the legs, it could be a sign of peripheral artery disease. This condition increases the risk of coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease, which could lead to heart attack or stroke.
3. Fatigue
We can easily attribute low energy to the intense rhythms of everyday life, ruling out the possibility that it comes from heart dysfunction. When the heart muscle or valves begin to fail, symptoms can be as subtle as fatigue.
4. Panting on the stairs
Is climbing the stairs now a chore when you used to climb them with ease? Do you have difficulty with daily activities that require movement? Then all of these could be signs that your heart isn’t in the best shape since it can’t pump blood around your body efficiently.
5. Increased stress
Stress, anxiety and panic attacks can cause palpitations, and anxiety disorders are also linked to cardiovascular problems, according to research published in Current Psychiatry Reports (“Anxiety disorders and cardiovascular disease“). Therefore, if stress is prominent in your daily life, don’t forget to check your heart as well, because mental health is related to cardiovascular health.
6. Dizziness
Due to poor blood circulation, not enough blood reaches the brain, resulting in a lack of proper blood supply to both the brain and the inner ear, which maintains the sense of balance. Thus, the feeling of dizziness or fainting tendencies is created.
7. Chest pain
The moment we notice tightness, pain or even burning in the chest area, and especially after exercise, is when we should notify our doctor. Therefore, when blood circulation is not done properly, pain occurs around the chest, arm, neck and back.
8. Blood in the gums when brushing
In addition to gingivitis, periodontitis — the disease of the gums — is associated with higher systolic blood pressure and worse blood pressure control for people taking blood pressure medications, according to a study in Hypertension.
