The cardiovascular system is one of the most important components of the body. As long as we seem healthy, we feel our body is free from all health problems. But even the healthiest-looking person can get sick, which is completely unexpected for him/her. If something of the following happens to you, be sure to make an appointment with a cardiologist!
Symptoms That Show You Should Go To A Cardiologist
1- Sensation In Heart
It is the most obvious sign that a person notices right away. It can manifest itself in the sensations “the heart beats like a locomotive, and then it freezes.” Such sensations are not always caused precisely by cardiovascular diseases.
Osteochondrosis and disorders in the endocrine system have similar symptoms. It is much worse if interruptions signal an approaching myocardial infarction or coronary heart disease.
2- Rapid Or Too Slow Pulse
If your heart seems to be unstable, be sure to check your blood pressure. You can use modern electronic blood pressure monitors to see the heart rate or the pulse rate. There can be several other reasons for a sudden increase or decrease in heart rate. The most popular one is drugs or cocaine abuse, which is common among the addicts.
However, if the pulse is less than 55 beats per minute or more than 100, this is an obvious sign of a disorder in the heart’s work. If the device shows less than 40 or more than 120 beats per minute, you should immediately call an emergency.
3- High Blood Pressure
By using a heart rate monitor, you will also receive information about your blood pressure. The standard of health is the ratio “120/80” millimeters of mercury. Too high blood pressure (over 140/90) can cause a hypertensive crisis and even a cerebral stroke.
It may well be that the patient may not even have time to call for help. Therefore, with increased pressure, it is better not to hesitate.
4- Reduced Pressure
If the tonometer showed a pressure below “90/60”, this is a very alarming sign. Low blood pressure leads to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. Various reasons can cause low blood pressure.
But it is especially typical for cardiovascular diseases. Due to the lack of oxygen, a person may faint or even die. Do not hesitate to consult your doctors. Call an ambulance if necessary.
5- Chest Pain
You can feel chest pain for a variety of health conditions. Some signs distinguish pain caused precisely by heart disease:
- You feel the pain in the center of the chest or slightly to the left of the sternum.
- Pain radiates to the jaw, neck, left arm, or back.
Take nitroglycerin first. Keep in mind that Validol and its analogs will not help in this case. A nitroglycerin capsule placed under the tongue should work within minutes. If, even after ten minutes, the pain does not diminish and continues to be constricting or cutting, call an ambulance immediately.
6- Swelling Of The Legs
In the late afternoon, you may observe that the legs feel tired and heavy. It becomes more difficult to walk, and the legs noticeably swell. This usually happens with age and can speak of a wide variety of health problems. Varicose veins, overweight, endocrine disorders – all of this can manifest itself in the form of leg edema.
But much more often, such a disorder is a sign of disorders in the work of the cardiovascular system. The combination of leg edema with high blood pressure is especially alarming. And if any of your relatives suffered from cardiovascular diseases, leg swelling is a good reason to visit a doctor.
7- Shortness Of Breath And Asthma Attacks
At night, you can suddenly wake up from a disturbing sensation. As if there is not enough air, breathing is frequent and greedy, like during exercising. This may indicate a heart problem. Try not to get up abruptly and try to measure your blood pressure and pulse.
It is always very useful to keep a tonometer close at hand, and an automatic one is better. It does not require intensive work but pumps air into the cuff with a motor.
8- Loss Of Consciousness And Light-Headedness
Another sign is a sudden and severe weakness or dizziness. With reduced pressure, you may feel tingling in the fingers. This can be caused by diabetes. But these are also characteristic signs of problems in the work of the cardiovascular system. Sit down, calm down, and catch your breath. If possible, try measuring the pressure.
9- Change In Complexion
Particularly alarming symptoms of light-headedness are discoloration of the face, nose, and lips. A pale face and a dark, “bluish” color of the lips indicate an acute shortage of oxygen in the blood. Due to the characteristic signs of poisoning with similar poisons, it has a characteristic name, “cyanosis.” They can be caused not only by poisoning but also by problems with the lungs or heart.
Frequent pallor or cyanosis usually indicates a heart defect. The first step is to measure blood pressure. It is advisable to provide the patient with fresh, clean air – at least to plant it near the window. Calling an ambulance will be very helpful too. Doctors will not only measure blood pressure but also determine blood sugar and oxygen levels.
10- Hereditary Factor
Like other diseases, cardiovascular problems are often inherited. It is especially unpleasant for a healthy, strong person to feel this fact in the prime of life. If there is any suspicion of heart problems, the cardiologist will certainly ask the patient if any of the relatives had similar problems. This is not idle curiosity but absolutely necessary for the correct diagnosis.
Summing Up
Heart problems are increasing day by day. Many people die all of a sudden due to a heart attack. Therefore, it is important to take care of the heart’s health. If any of the above signs or their combination appears, you should visit a cardiologist.
