Heart disease is an umbrella term that encompasses many different illnesses linked to heart and blood vessels. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of these diseases are coronary artery disorder, cardiac failure, arrhythmia (such as atrial fibrillation), and congenital defects in the heart.
Other diseases of the heart include:
- heart infections
- heart valve disease
- cardiomegaly (an abnormally enlarged heart)
- cardiomyopathy (a disease of the heart muscle)
What are the symptoms of different types of heart disease?
Heart disease is oftentimes accompanied by a sensation of chest pain, more commonly known as angina. This occurs when the heart does not receive enough oxygen and nutrient-rich arterial blood, creating an uncomfortable feeling in one’s breastbone that can even spread to other parts of their body such as their neck, shoulders, arms abdomen and back. Many individuals describe this tightness or squeezing sensation around their chest area.
Are you feeling excessively tired after short bursts of physical activity? Do you struggle to catch your breath while resting? These might be indicators of heart disease. Thankfully, these symptoms generally diminish with a break from action.
Women often experience different symptoms than men. For example, women may have:
- nausea
- vomiting
- back pain
- jaw pain
- cold sweats
- paleness
- dizziness
- shortness of breath
- lightheadedness
- fainting episodes
Women may not recognize the signs of heart disease, as its symptoms could be confused with other illnesses. Moreover, women are more prone to additional risk factors than men like depression, stress and menopause which can increase one’s chances of developing a cardiovascular condition.
Risk factors for heart disease
Common risk factors for heart disease include:
- being overweight
- being inactive
- smoking tobacco
- eating a high-fat, high-sodium, and high-carbohydrate diet
- having diabetes mellitus
- having high blood pressure
- having high cholesterol
- having a family history of heart disease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that a staggering number of Americans have one or more major risk factors for coronary heart disease, such as high blood pressure, smoking, or elevated cholesterol levels. If your physician warned you about the possibility of developing this illness in the future, it is vital to responsibly heed their advice!
The GMI Research Centers are researching migraines and are seeking new participants to join. Our studies seek to determine the safety and efficacy of an investigatory drug for the treatment of those with the disease. To see if you qualify for our study, be sure to give us a call today.
