About 610,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, with it being the leading cause of death for both men and women. Most people solely think about chest pain or labored breathing when it comes to detecting heart problems, but there are more lesser known signs.
With 1 in every 4 deaths being related to heart disease, it’s important to make yourself aware of the signs so that you can seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Here are some of the lesser known signs of heart disease.
One sign is the swelling of the lower legs and feet, which comes from fluid retention, called peripheral edema. While this isn’t always caused by heart disease, when it is, it’s due to the heart not pumping blood properly, resulting in fluid from within the blood vessels leaking out into the tissue.
There’s an increased risk of heart disease by 23% for men with balding heads and 36% for men who have completely lost their hair. This isn’t to say that all bald people will get heart disease, but it’s suggested that they regularly screen for it.
Another sign of heart disease is Xanthoma, which is a skin condition in which certain fats build up under the surface of the skin.
They vary in size and appear yellow in color indicating high levels of fats in the bloods, they may also happen with high cholesterol.
Swollen and red gums are generally indicators of poor dental hygiene, however, they are also linked to heart disease.
Those who have heart disease may encounter weight gain, if you are experiencing irregular weight gain it’s suggested to go see a doctor.
This unexplained rapid weight gain can be caused by fluid retention, when various parts of the body are experiencing swelling.
Experiencing irregularly frequent urination can be because of decreased flow of blood to the kidneys, which is a sign of heart disease.
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and pupil, being the most common cause of vision loss in people over 40.
Research has shown that people with cataracts have a higher risk of heart disease.
Another sign of heart disease is coughing during the night, this could be because of a buildup of fluid in the chest.
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About 610,000 Americans die from heart disease each year, with it being the leading cause of death for both men and women. Most people solely think about chest pain or labored breathing when it comes to detecting heart problems, but there are more lesser known signs.