Whenever you hear of a “sudden death” heart attack, you may wonder how things got that bad without any warning. Perhaps it was because the warnings weren’t given the value they possess. How can a toothache mean a heart attack, after all? Knowing what subtle signs to look for could save a life.
Clubbing Fingers: When the flesh under your fingernails gets larger, it’s called clubbing. There are many problems that could cause this and most of them are potentially fatal. The nails don’t hurt, they just change. Most people don’t notice.
Dizziness: This can be a sign of many different types of heart disease. Low heart rates, low blood pressure and other problems can mean that you aren’t getting enough oxygen to the brain.
Pressure: You may feel pressure on the left chest area. If you’re a lady and wearing a bra, it’s pretty easy to assume that’s what you’re feeling. It might be wise to notice if that sensation goes away after removing said garment.
It’s hard to associate pressure to a heart problem, particularly if it is felt in an area that you don’t associate with the organ. The pressure can actually be felt in the area of your sternum (central chest) or closer to your back. It still has the same meaning.
Sore Arm: Your left arm can be sore for many reasons, including overusing the muscles. However, it is also a primary sign of heart problems, and it could end up being your biggest warning. This is especially so if you haven’t done anything in the recent past that would make your arm sore.
Toothache: Yes, you read right. Pain in the left jaw is another symptom, and there are teeth attached to that jawbone. If the dentist doesn’t find anything, you may need a cardiologist.
Upset Stomach: Well, heartburn is probably a better term for most of us. It is not uncommon to mistake either for the other one. If you aren’t sure whether or not your indigestion is directly food related, call the doctor. He’d rather discover an upset stomach rather than do emergency open heart surgery.
This brings us to some of the things you can do to find out if you have this problem. Everyone should see their doctor at least once a year. If you are at risk for other problems, you may be asked to see him/her more often.
If you have a family history of heart disease, your doctor may suggest you see a cardiologist. It’s a lot easier to fix a problem before it becomes deadly. There are tests that can be done to make sure that you are healthy.
The cardiologist may suggest an angiogram even if all the other tests appear negative. If so, do it. I know of a case where a patient had three out of four arteries almost totally blocked. The only symptom was burning in what felt like his esophagus. That feeling came from the only artery doing the job. The good news is that no damage occurred and he is being treated.
The CDC reports that heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. About 1 in every four deaths comes from this illness. That makes vigilance an important part of your good health.
