How do you know if you have heart problem?

Signs and symptoms can include: Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina) Shortness of breath. Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts of your body are narrowed.
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How do you know if there's something wrong with your heart?

Learning the warning signs can help you get treatment and help prevent a heart attack or stroke.
  • Chest Pain. Expand Section. ...
  • Shortness of Breath. Expand Section. ...
  • Coughing or Wheezing. ...
  • Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, or Feet. ...
  • Narrowed Blood Vessels. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Fast or Uneven Heartbeat (Palpitations) ...
  • When to Call the Doctor.
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What are the first signs of a weak heart?

Heart failure
  • Shortness of breath with activity or when lying down.
  • Fatigue and weakness.
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Reduced ability to exercise.
  • Persistent cough or wheezing with white or pink blood-tinged mucus.
  • Swelling of the belly area (abdomen)
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How do you realize your heart problems?

They may not realize they've had a heart attack.
...
Symptoms of a traditional heart attack may include:
  1. Chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes.
  2. Shortness of breath.
  3. Discomfort in your upper body.
  4. Lightheadedness.
  5. Cold sweats.
  6. Nausea and vomiting.
  7. Tiredness that can last for a few days with no explanation.
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How can I check my heart at home?

To measure your pulse on your own:
  1. Get a watch with a second hand.
  2. Place your index and middle finger of your hand on the inner wrist of the other arm, just below the base of the thumb. ...
  3. Count the number of taps you feel in 10 seconds.
  4. Multiply that number by 6 to find out your heart rate for 1 minute.
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How to Detect Heart Disease Symptoms | Tufts Medical Center



What does heart blockage feel like?

The symptoms of an artery blockage include chest pain and tightness, and shortness of breath. Imagine driving through a tunnel. On Monday, you encounter a pile of rubble. There is a narrow gap, big enough to drive through.
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What age should you get your heart checked?

In reality, regular examinations and screenings related to heart health should begin at 20 years old, with most tests being performed every 2 to 4 years. Such measures can often clue both patient and physician into any potential heart problems before serious health complications occur.
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Which test is best for heart?

Common medical tests to diagnose heart conditions
  • Blood tests. ...
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) ...
  • Exercise stress test. ...
  • Echocardiogram (ultrasound) ...
  • Nuclear cardiac stress test. ...
  • Coronary angiogram. ...
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ...
  • Coronary computed tomography angiogram (CCTA)
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Do blood tests detect heart problems?

The most common types of blood tests used to assess heart conditions are: Cardiac enzyme tests (including troponin tests) – these help diagnose or exclude a heart attack. Full blood count (FBC) – this measures different types of blood levels and can show, for example, if there is an infection or if you have anaemia.
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How do you check for heart blockages?

A CT scan of the heart can show calcium deposits and blockages in the heart arteries. Calcium deposits can narrow the arteries. Sometimes dye is given by IV during this test. The dye helps create detailed pictures of the heart arteries.
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Where is heart pain located?

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.
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Can heart problems make you sleep a lot?

Still, it's serious. As your heart works overtime, it can cause tiredness, shortness of breath and a feeling of being simply worn out. Such are the signs of fatigue, one of the most common symptoms of congestive heart failure.
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What causes heart problems?

Unhealthy foods, lack of exercise, and smoking are often what lead to heart disease. So can high blood pressure, infections, and birth defects.
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How do I keep my heart healthy?

To help prevent heart disease, you can:
  1. Eat healthy.
  2. Get active.
  3. Stay at a healthy weight.
  4. Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
  5. Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.
  6. Drink alcohol only in moderation.
  7. Manage stress.
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Can a ECG detect heart problems?

When an ECG is used. An ECG is often used alongside other tests to help diagnose and monitor conditions affecting the heart. It can be used to investigate symptoms of a possible heart problem, such as chest pain, palpitations (suddenly noticeable heartbeats), dizziness and shortness of breath.
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Can a person live without a heart?

A device called the Total Artificial Heart helps some of the sickest heart-failure patients regain function — outside of the hospital — while awaiting a transplant.
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Are heart problems worse at night?

In fact, nocturnal blood pressure has been found to be even more predictive of heart problems than high blood pressure during the day.
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Does the heart repair itself?

The heart is unable to regenerate heart muscle after a heart attack and lost cardiac muscle is replaced by scar tissue.
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Is rest good for your heart?

You know that your mind is sharper when you're getting a good night's sleep, but did you know your heart relies on good rest, too? Research suggests that your heart requires rest on a steady schedule, as snoozing for less than 7 to 9 hours per night puts your ticker at risk.
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Should I worry about chest pain that comes and goes?

If you have chest pain that comes and goes, you should be sure to see your doctor. It's important that they evaluate and properly diagnose your condition so that you can receive treatment. Remember that chest pain can also be a sign of a more serious condition like a heart attack.
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When should I worry about chest pain?

Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms along with chest pain: A sudden feeling of pressure, squeezing, tightness, or crushing under your breastbone. Chest pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back. Sudden, sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long period of inactivity.
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How do I know if chest pain is serious?

How to tell if chest pain is serious. Some types of chest pain should send you to the emergency room — particularly if it lasts for at least five minutes. Symptoms could include new or unexplained chest pain coupled with shortness of breath, a cold sweat, nausea, fatigue or lightheadedness.
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How do I know my chest pain is not heart-related?

It can be difficult to distinguish heart-related chest pain from other types of chest pain. However, chest pain that is less likely due to a heart problem is more often associated with: A sour taste or a sensation of food reentering your mouth. Trouble swallowing.
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What are 6 common non cardiac causes of chest pain?

What are the most common causes of noncardiac chest pain?
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). ...
  • Esophageal muscle spasms. ...
  • Achalasia. ...
  • Esophageal hypersensitivity. ...
  • Inflammation of the esophagus. ...
  • Abnormal esophageal tissue.
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How do I know if chest pain is heart-related?

Chest pain and heart attack symptoms
  1. Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, burning, tightness, or pain in the center of the chest.
  2. Pain, numbness, pinching, prickling, or other uncomfortable sensations in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
  3. Shortness of breath.
  4. Sudden nausea or vomiting.
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