Heart disease: Warning signs you should never ignore!

Zee Media Bureau/Salome Phelamei

Our heart, one of the most vital organs, needs special attention. Many people usually ignore these warning signs that tell something is awry with your heart or are just slow to seek help when symptoms develop.

Heart disease or cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of US men and women. In India, the scene has worsened with the country witnessing a rapid shift in its disease burden over the past years.

As we celebrate World Heart Day today, the 29th of September, here are some signs and symptoms of heart disease that you should never ignore:

Coronary artery disease (CAD): Angina or chest pain is the most common symptom of CAD. Angina is a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. This feeling may also be felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back.

Symptoms may also include - shortness of breath, sweating, palpitations, etc.

Heart attack: It is possible that symptoms may differ between men and women. The most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.

Other symptoms include - pain in the arm or below the breastbone, heaviness, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, anxiety or irregular heartbeats.

However, some people may have a heart attack without having any symptoms. This is called “silent” myocardial infarction (MI) and occurs more often in people with diabetes.

Arrhythmia: Symptoms of arrhythmias or an abnormal heart rhythm may include – shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, discomfort in chest, fatigue, fainting.

Some arrhythmias can lead to sudden stop in heart beat, a condition called sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). If not treated right away, SCA can cause loss of consciousness and death.