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Many people do not realise they have heart problems until it is too late. As much as this could be avoided by getting regular medical check-ups, there are still some tell-tale signs that show the heart needs attention.
In a 2015 study that was published in JAMA, eight out of 10 men and women with scarring on their heart muscle, evidence of a previous heart attack, had no clue their heart had been in danger. Below are some signs that might indicate you have an unhealthy heart according to The Healthy.
Easily Fatigued
Activities that used to be easy and now are suddenly met with new difficulty can be a red flag that something is wrong. If you usually run a mile every day with ease but suddenly aren’t able to, you may feel overcome by severe flu-like fatigue, which may be a sign your heart is not pumping enough blood throughout your body. Also, if a good night’s sleep doesn’t fix your overwhelming exhaustion, make an appointment with your doctor right away.
Sexual problems with your partner
One of the classic signs of heart trouble is erectile dysfunction. Anxiety, depression, and stress can also inhibit your ability to get intimate with your partner, but your bedroom troubles could also be from blocked arteries in the heart, which prevent blood from flowing properly to your penis. According to Dr. Michos:
Erectile dysfunction symptoms often precede the onset of heart symptoms by at least two years. The detection of erectile dysfunction offers a window to intervene and stop the cardiac disease in its tracks.
High blood pressure
A diagnosis of high blood pressure could increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, or heart disease. If you don’t lower those numbers, it could damage your arteries and cause plaque to build up around your artery walls down the line, which slowly blocks blood flow. When your blood is constantly pushing against your blood vessels at a high rate, it forces your heart and blood vessels to work harder and less efficiently.
Hair loss in the leg
Hairless legs could mean that your legs lack oxygen because your arteries are narrowed, which reduces your blood flow. Without that nutrient-rich blood, your hair follicles can’t grow.
Swollen legs and feet
When your heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently, your veins get backed up and end up pushing excess fluid into your body tissues, causing body parts like your feet, legs, abdomen, and even your scrotum to swell. If you feel bloated in unusual places, try pressing on your skin. If it leaves a pitted indent, like a dimple, in your skin, that means your tissues are harboring excess fluid and you should see a doctor.
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Source: TheGuardian