Heart disease is one of the most prolific killers in North America today. To combat this disease, doctors recommend patients make considerable changes to their lifestyle, like adapting their diet and amount of physical exercise, and often prescribe medications to help the heart overcome certain kinds of difficulties.
But how do you know if you have a health problem related to heart disease? The answer involves being on the lookout for a number of critically important symptoms that, if addressed early enough, could help save your life. Identifying these signs is particularly important if you have a family history of heart disease.
1. Chest Pain
This is easily the most popular symptom of heart disease and the sign that should lead to the fastest reaction. That’s because significant chest pain can be the body’s way of alarming an individual about a serious health problem, including the blocking of an artery.
Chest pain can result from physical exertion or a sudden spike in stress levels. In any case, the feeling can resemble pinching or burning inside the chest. Many individuals describe a feeling of enormous pressure, almost like a large animal has sat right on top of them. In any case, significant pain and discomfort in the chest area should elicit an immediate response from an individual, particularly if they’ve already been diagnosed with heart disease or have a family history of the issue.
