Understanding and dealing with Heart Disease by Dr Keith Souter

Author:Dr Keith Souter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Summersdale Publishers Ltd
Published: 2014-03-25T00:00:00+00:00

The symptoms to look out for

The following symptoms may be highly significant so if you develop them (and particularly if they are severe or persistent) you should seek medical help to get a diagnosis:

Chest pain – typically, central chest pain with radiation to the neck or down the left arm suggests cardiac pain. If it is associated with clamminess and faintness then emergency medical help should be called for, because that could be a heart attack. If the pain goes away, but is provoked by exertion and eased by rest, then that could be angina.

Palpitations – the sensation of the heart beating rapidly inside the chest may be normal. This can occur if you have had too much coffee, too many stimulants or if you are stressed. If it is continuous or feels irregular, or is associated with shortness of breath, then medical help is advisable. It is possible that it is caused by coronary artery disease depriving the conductive part of the heart of oxygen, causing it to go into an abnormal rhythm.

Shortness of breath at night, while lying flat, or on mild exertion may indicate heart failure.

Swelling of the ankles as the day goes on could also indicate heart failure.

KEY POINT – EMERGENCY TREATMENT

If you experience a severe chest pain and have never had one before, this is an indication of the need for emergency assessment. That means calling 999 to be admitted to hospital – don’t wait, since time may be of the essence if you are having a heart attack.

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