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You’d think that if you had a problem with something as important as your heart, you’d definitely know. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. You may have symptoms that seem unrelated or that aren’t detectable under normal circumstances.
The idea that you could have a condition as serious as heart disease and not know it can be disconcerting, but it’s often the case. That’s because some common symptoms don’t seem related to your heart at all, or they aren’t noticeable day-to-day.
The expert providers at Heart & Vascular Institute, with six Michigan locations, have all seen patients who didn’t know they had heart conditions. People with heart conditions don’t always have clear symptoms, such as chest pain.
Here, we look at five problems that don't obviously indicate heart disease, but that may be worth checking out.
1. Shortness of breath
You may think you’re just out of shape, but when your heart can’t pump blood efficiently, you might feel as if you can’t catch your breath. You may feel breathless during activity, at rest, or even lying down.
2. Swelling
Swollen feet might result from standing all day, but they can also signal your heart is struggling to pump hard enough to push blood back up your legs and to your heart. The result is fluid buildup in your legs, ankles, and feet.
3. Pain in your lower legs
Do your calves hurt when you walk? Pain, fatigue, burning, or cramping in your lower legs when you’re active could stem from a condition called peripheral artery disease, or PAD.
People with PAD usually feel discomfort during activity that improves with rest. You may also experience numbness or pain in your legs at night, and your legs may feel cool and look pale.
PAD is caused by narrowing of the arteries, most often due to plaque buildup. Narrower arteries force your heart to work harder. Plus, if the arteries in your legs have plaque buildup, the arteries in your heart probably do too.
4. Extreme fatigue
Being tired after a hard day’s work is one thing, but feeling fatigued for no apparent reason is something else. If you feel tired even after you’ve rested, or on days when you don’t do much, it could be related to your heart. It’s worth having a conversation with your doctor.
5. Weakness, dizziness, nausea
Everyone gets lightheaded sometimes, but feeling dizzy when you stand up from your seat may indicate a heart problem. Arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, can cause lightheadedness.
Sudden dizziness can also be a symptom of a drop in blood pressure, which can result from a heart attack. If you have additional symptoms, such as chest pain, arm or jaw pain, or sudden sweating, get medical help right away.
Early treatment is better
If you have a family history of heart disease, high blood pressure, or other reasons to be concerned about your cardiovascular health, schedule an appointment today at Heart & Vascular Institute. We can assess your personal risk and any symptoms you’re experiencing.