Keepourlive--Heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular system) is a complex system. If likened to, the heart acts like a reservoir and main water pump , and the blood vessels act as water pipes that deliver clean water to areas in need.
If there are problems with the heart, the blood supply to various organs also disrupted, which can cause both symptoms of the heart and the body parts that receive blood flow.
Indicators of heart health can be determined from the presence or absence of associated symptoms, physical examination and the necessary supporting. In addition to the typical chest pain, some of the following symptoms also can indicate a problem with the heart:
1. Fatigue
Persistent fatigue may signify heart disease. This complaint is often felt by women. Fatigue is especially hard, as opposed to feeling tired after doing daily activities. This complaint may take several days before a heart attack occurs.
2. Excessive sweating
Heart problems also should be suspected when at rest, sitting relaxed, the weather was not hot, or not do strenuous activity, excessive sweating like you just after exercise.
3. Nausea and loss of appetite
In the case of heart failure, there is a buildup of fluid in the abdominal cavity so that the stomach was full and appetite go down. Additionally, when a heart attack, some people also complain of nausea, pain in the gut, to vomit.
4. Dizziness
Frequent complaints of dizziness to fainting may be related to arrhythmias (heart rhythm disorder).
5. Swelling of limbs
The onset of swelling related to retention (retention) of fluid in the body, often occurs in heart failure. Initially occurred in an area farthest from the heart, such as the feet or hands. This swelling is called edema. Patients will have difficulty wearing shoes, or when opening the shoe will appear indented on the swollen area
6. Snoring
Snoring can be associated with sleep apnea (cessation of breathing during sleep). Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart attack three times within the next 5 years. Sleep apnea can lead to heart damage to the right side, because lungs work extra hard to launch the airways due to airway obstruction that occurs in sleep apnea.
7. Teeth and Gums diseases
There is a similarity between the health of teeth and gums with heart health. If someone is having periodontal disease, bacteria can spread through the blood vessels to other organs such as the heart. On the other hand, impaired blood supply to the gums can lead to periodontal disease.
8. Cough
This type of cough is meant here is coughing accompanied by breathing difficulties, due to the presence of fluid in the lungs. This fluid is related to the inability of the heart to pump blood normally, so the blood will accumulate in the lungs.
9. Sexual function disorders
Disorders such as erectile dysfunction may be one of the manifestations of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, where the narrowing and plaque in blood vessels can reduce the intake of oxygen to organs including genital organs.
10. Anxiety
Someone who is having a heart attack tend to experience anxiety or fear of death. Conversely, excessive anxiety can trigger emotional stress is also a risk factor for heart attack.
There is no one single test that can diagnose heart disease. Aside from the presence or absence of the complaint above, an indicator of the health of your heart is also based on interviews of your medical and family medical history, risk factors for heart disease, physical examination, and investigations such as laboratory and radiology related. Several checks are often conducted to determine cardiac function, among others:
# ECG (electrocardiogram)
This test shows heart rate, heart rhythm and electrical activity of the heart. ECG may show signs of damage to the heart, the heart attack is in progress or that have been passed.
# X-ray chest
Chest x-ray radiology describe the structure of the organs in the chest such as the heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
# Blood test
Examples blood test is needed to determine the function of the heart, among others, cholesterol, blood sugar, and heart muscle specific proteins. Some other tests that may be required include echocardiography, stress test, coronary angiography, and so on, depending on the condition of your heart.
In principle, complaints arise when there has been damage to the organ concerned. For that do prevention before illness with a healthy lifestyle, avoiding the risk factors for heart disease, and perform routine medical examination in order to maintain your heart health.