Warning Signs for Heart Disease

Courtesy of Buffalo Medical Group
Did you know that 1.5 gallons of blood is pumped into your heart every minute? Cardiovascular disease is a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels that claim roughly 18 million lives each year. More than 80 percent of those deaths are due to heart attacks and strokes that can often be prevented.
The cardiology team at Buffalo Medical Group (BMG) says right lifestyle choices, such as healthy eating and exercising regularly, can help reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease. Learning to recognize warning signs of heart disease is another way individuals can reduce their risk of developing heart disease.
- Chest pain. Chest pain is widely recognized as a sign of heart attack. However, many people experience chest pain without ever suffering a heart attack. So how can individuals distinguish chest pain suggestive of heart disease from less threatening types of pain in their chest, such as stiffness after strength training or discomfort stemming from a pulled pectoral muscle? Chest pain related to heart attack is marked by feelings of heaviness, tightness, or pressure in the chest. Pain or tightness in the chest that subsides after a few minutes may be indicative of angina, which is a symptom of coronary artery disease caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
- Stomach pain. People may not instantly associate stomach pain with heart disease, but in certain instances such discomfort might indicate a heart problem. BMG cardiologists say painful or burning feeling in the stomach can be indicative of a heart problem, including heart attack. Though it’s not easy to distinguish between heartburn, which in spite of its name is a digestive issue, and stomach pain indicative of heart attack, it’s best to avoid writing off abdominal pain as heartburn. Additionally, many heart attacks do not involve sudden, crushing chest pain, and are characterized by a host of warning signs, including abdominal pain. Anyone experiencing stomach pain who is unsure of its origins should contact a health care professional immediately.
- Arm pain. Arm pain that appears suddenly and is severe could be a symptom of heart attack. This pain may occur along with feelings of pressure, fullness or squeezing in the chest. BMG cardiologists note that a heart attack is more likely to occur if the pain is going down the arm, particularly the left arm, or into the neck.
- Swelling in the lower legs. Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet is indicative of a heart problem. Blood flow is adversely affected when the heart is not working at peak capacity, which can contribute to what’s effectively a traffic jam involving the blood in the veins of the legs. That backup causes the buildup of fluid in the tissues.
Heart disease is a formidable and deadly foe. Learning to recognize the warning signs of heart disease might prove lifesaving.
The best way to improve your heart health is through diet, exercise, and managing stress. BMG’s highly skilled cardiology team see patients in Orchard Park and Williamsville. Visit www.buffalomedicalgroup.com/services/cardiology, or call 716-630-1000 to schedule an appointment.