Times of India

Ignored symptoms that lead to a heart disease

16 Jan 2009, 0000 hrs IST, RAJA SHARMA RYMBAI

It's a matter of heart these days as heart ailments are

growing by leaps and bounds.

There is a common notion suggesting that men are more

prone to heart diseases; hence a large number of
commercials on edible oil that help control "your man's"
cholesterol are currently on air. But, not just men, even
women are equally vulnerable to heart diseases.

"Women usually suffer form heart diseases post their

Ignored symptoms that lead to a heart
disease (Getty images)
menopause" says Dr Roopa Salwan, Senior Consultant,
Cardiology, Max Heart Institute. She adds "The major
causes are the lifestyle we live and the exposure to
elements that are hazardous to their heart like smoking,
obesity and an excessive consumption of alcohol".

Gone are the days when heart ailments were the predicament of the aged alone.
Youngsters in their late 20s and early 30s are contracting heart ailments by the dozen. "I
am used to living life in the fast lane. I smoke, drink and indulge in late nights, like any
other regular urban professional. Because of my long working hours I often skipped
meals and even suffered from acidity. But I never thought my condition was serious
enough for me to consult a doctor. My friends often teased me about my excessive
snoring, but I rarely paid heed to their concerns thinking it was excessive fatigue that was
causing my problem. One day, I was having a meeting with my client when I experienced
a shooting pain in my chest. The next thing I remember was opening my eyes in the
ICCU. I had suffered a heart attack that my cardiologist blamed on my high stress levels
and lifestyle" confesses designer Arnab Ghosh (name changed).

"Subtle symptoms with hidden clues, which both men and women often ignore lead to
heart ailments and eventually a heart attack," opines Dr Roopa. Here are a few symptoms
that you need to watch out for, irrespective of your age...

1. Check your cholesterol: Cholesterol is supposed to be a major cause of heart diseases.

Excess of cholesterol can cause blockage of blood flow in the arteries that is one of the
most common causes of a heart attack. Commonly known as 'bad' cholesterol, it gets
deposited on the walls of the arteries causing a blockade. "Women are equally prone to
high cholesterol, so a pre menopausal cholesterol check up is a must,"advises Dr Roopa.

2. Fatigue can be fatal: Casual fatigue is a common complaint of patients with

preliminary signs of a heart disease. "The patient will have normal energy levels at the
start of the day, and then gradually experience fatigue through the day to the point of
exhaustion by the day end. This is caused due to weak heart muscles that have lost their
ability to pump enough blood and oxygen required by the body to function normally. If
you are experiencing this problem, then get started by getting an ECG done as suggested
by your doctor," advices Dr Roopa.

3. That pain might be angina: Chest discomfort is a symptom that is often ignored and
confused with gastrointestinal disorders. "Pain in the chest may be due to angina, a heart
attack, or an inflammation in the lining of the heart. Contact your doctor immediately as
you may be unaware of the heart attack that has already occurred," warns Dr Praveen
Chandra, Director Cardiac Cath Lab and interventional Cardiology, Max Heart Institute.

4. Watch out for swelling: Edema is another ignored symptom of impending heart
diseases. "It is the bilateral swelling or puffiness of the tissue around the ankles, legs,
eyes, chest wall or abdominal walls. This swelling is caused due to the retention of water
or lymph fluid in the cells of the tissue. This is often caused due to obesity or hormonal
activities, but a check up is a must," explains Dr Roopa.

5. Sound sleep is important: "Sleep disturbances are also one of the major causes of
heart ailments as one's blood pressure tends to be lower when asleep. Sleeping less leads
to high blood pressure over the course of the day and this puts a stress on the heart. So if
you are having a sleeping problem, consult your cardiologist as it's not just stress that
leads to sleep disorder," adds Dr Roopa.

6. Indigestion might be a hint: Indigestion and gas is a very subtle symptom which later
can lead to a heart attack or angina. "If the uneasiness is accompanied by an unpleasant
sensation in the throat and profuse sweating then it could be a precursor to a heart attack.
We need to take it seriously as the heart attack may have already occurred and consulting
a doctor immediately, within four hours- the golden hours is a must .If angiography or
angioplasty are performed the results are beneficial as it reduces the mortality rate to 2
%," suggests Dr Praveen Chandra. "Women may have mild symptoms of gas and heart
burn and nausea. They fail to rule out the occurrence of a heart attack. To make the
matter worse, women often wait longer to consult a doctor, sticking to the notion that
only men are victims of heart attacks, "advices Dr Roopa.

7. Can't exercise? "Exercise or effort intolerance may also be a sign of a heart ailment. If
you find that you can't perform routine exercises like a regular walk then your heart
might not be getting enough nutrition in the form of oxygen. These rules out angina.
Consulting a cardio expert is the best option," suggests Dr Roopa.