The heart is the organ that moves blood around the body. If you want to live a long life, the heart needs to be healthy and work well. Any heart-related health problems need to be taken care of quickly, and you need to see a doctor right away if you think you have any kind of heart problem. But, while it’s true that a heart attack or something more long-term like heart disease can sometimes be easy to spot, this isn’t always the case. Here are some of the less obvious symptoms of heart disease that, if left untreated, could lead to serious health problems.
Indigestion and heartburn
Some individuals experience heartburn and indigestion not because they ate too quickly or ate something that didn’t agree with them. Instead, it might be a sign of heart disease or even a heart attack.
It is important to keep this information in mind for those who are prone to cardiac problems or who find that indigestion medication does not alleviate their symptoms. While most of the time indigestion relates to the digestive system and not the heart, it could be your heart that needs help.
Snoring could be a heart disease symptom
A little snoring while sleeping is usually nothing to be concerned about. Most people do it on occasion if not all of the time. Normal snoring is pretty quiet and should not be problematic.
However, snoring caused by your heart is a whole other story. This kind of snoring is very loud and sounds like a gasp or as if you are suffocating. This is most likely sleep apnea, which occurs when you stop breathing for a few seconds at random periods during the night.
When it occurs, additional strain is placed on the heart. That can lead the individual to develop heart disease or possibly a heart attack.
Ironically, it is possible that underlying heart disease is the cause of your snoring in the first place and that the sleep apnea issue exacerbates that underlying problem. A TMJ specialist can check this for you, and you may need to sleep with a CPAP machine to help you breathe more comfortably.
Swollen extremities
If you find that your feet, ankles, or even lower legs are swollen, it is possible that you are suffering from a cardiac condition that has not yet been diagnosed. Again, this is all due to the fact that the blood is not being circulated throughout your body effectively.
When the heart is unable to pump blood at a rapid enough rate, the blood must be stored somewhere; it does not simply vanish. Because of this, it remains in the veins and causes them to back up, which results in swelling and bloating.
However, it is possible that blood is not the only factor contributing to the edema. Your kidneys will have a harder time filtering waste water out of your body when your heart isn’t performing as efficiently as it should, and they won’t be able to do it as effectively. This may also cause fluid retention and bloating if it sits in the extremities.
Get help for symptoms of heart disease
See your doctor if you worry about a heart condition. The professional will know what is best for your unique body. This article does not replace medical advice.
Scary!!!
So happy I am a life long veggie!
Thank you for this and all your posts!
Awe, thank YOU for always taking an interest in the posts here!!
HI Christy, I didn’t know about snoring being a potential indicator of a heart condition. My feet swelled just before I was diagnosed with situational stress related high blood pressure. It is fine when I’m not stressed so it’s quite difficult to manage with medication.
Hi Robbie, yes, my husband snores and we found out it was hard on his heart. He now sees a specialist. I’m sorry to hear about your high blood pressure. It’s so hard to lower stress and to know it’s a big part of life
I am making some progress in lowering my stress through advice I read about coping with burnout.
That’s great, Robbie xx
You address so many important topics, Christy. Your readers should appreciate the effort you put into your research and writings. I do not always see a place to leave a comment. I am glad you had a comment section on this one.
Your article about alarms for seniors was also a good one. We knew someone whose life would have been saved when she fell down the stairs in her home had she had such an alarm.
Hi Peggy, I don’t always open posts up for comments but thought this one was important to do so. I appreciate your feedback!
Thanks, Christy, this is very important. I will share on Twitter.
Thank you for the share, Hadel!