Chest pain and shortness of breath are hallmark signs of a cardiac event, but there are often telltale signs of heart disease that occur before a major problem like a heart attack or stroke happens.
Fulton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has the details on four everyday signs that you should keep an eye on, especially if they are coupled with issues like high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
- Trouble Breathing While Lying Down
If you have trouble while lying flat on your back but it improves when you sit up, there could be fluid in your lungs. This happens because your blood volume is redistributed when you’re lying down, and your heart can have trouble pumping the extra volume with this condition, which is called orthopnea.
- Leg and/or Hip Pain While Walking
The cause of lower-body pain while walking can be due to a number of reasons, but one is that peripheral artery disease can cause circulation problems in the legs. The pain can be even harder to diagnose because it will often go away once you stop walking.
- Sexual Problems
Heart disease can cause blood-flow problems that lead to sexual dysfunction in men and can also lead to vaginal dryness and lack of libido in women. These blood vessel issues can eventually lead to artery blockages.
- Unknown Fatigue
It’s normal to be tired when exerting energy, but if things like making the bed or getting some food out of the fridge is leaving you in need of a breather, an obstructed coronary artery can cause less blood flow to the heart, which can leave you winded.
To learn more about Fulton Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://fulton-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
