8 Warning Signs You Should See a Cardiologist  

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Your Health Magazine Contributor

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8 Warning Signs You Should See a Cardiologist  

You must not wait to get yourself checked by a cardiologist whenever you experience chest pain with or without breathing difficulties, heart palpitations, irregular heartbeats, etc. The wait-and-watch approach is not recommended if these symptoms last for more than a few hours. 

You should see a cardiologist even faster if you are a smoker, obese, have hypertension, and/or high cholesterol, have a family history of heart disease, or have any comorbidities such as diabetes. The section below provides some more information on the eight most common warning signs of heart disease. 

8 Signs You Need to See a Cardiologist

1. Breathing Difficulties

Are you experiencing shortness of breath or breathing difficulties when performing physical activities such as walking or climbing stairs? If yes, consider consulting a trusted cardiologist as soon as possible. The feeling may or may not subside when you rest. So, don’t assume that your breathing issues have no connection with your heart health if you start feeling better when resting. 

According to experts, shortness of breath mostly occurs due to weakened heart muscles following heart failure. It’s an emergency and requires medical care as soon as possible. In some cases, breathing difficulties can also be a sign of problems with the heart valve. This symptom is also common in patients with a long history of hypertension and indicates the occurrence of early-stage hypertensive heart disease.

2. Chest Pain

It is the most common and easily identified symptom of coronary artery disease or heart attacks. However, not all patients experience the same kind of pain. For some, it’s a stabbing pain, while for others, it’s a dull ache. Heart disease-induced chest pain tends to last for several seconds to several hours. 

Some patients don’t experience any pain in their chest. Instead, they feel unexplained pressure along with discomfort. You should treat these symptoms as seriously as chest pain and book a same-day appointment with a cardiologist in your area. 

To see a top-rated cardiologist in Bronx, NY, consider scheduling an appointment for an appropriate cardiovascular evaluation. If symptoms suggest a medical emergency, seek emergency medical care immediately.

3. Swollen Feet

Patients experiencing congestive heart failure often have swelling in their ankles and/or feet. When an individual suffers from congestive heart failure, his/her heart struggles to pump blood. This leads to fluid buildup in the lower part of the patient’s body. The result is swollen feet. You have more reasons to worry if the symptom occurs with other changes, such as extreme fatigue and breathing difficulties. Swollen feet can also be a sign of hypertensive heart disease, which also requires prompt medical attention. 

4. Unexplained Fatigue 

You can feel tired due to several reasons, and most of them don’t require any treatment. However, if you feel fatigued without any reason and even after proper rest and adequate sleep, you probably have problems in your heart. 

Fatigue induced by heart disease is more common in women. It happens due to impaired blood flow to the muscles. Fatigue linked with a cardiac condition may or may not occur along with other symptoms such as breathing difficulties and chest pain. 

5. Cold Sweat 

Are you sweating profusely without any trigger, such as increased ambient temperature, prolonged workout sessions, etc.? If yes, it might indicate that you have issues with your heart. A malfunctioning heart tends to over-stimulate the patient’s sympathetic nervous system, which in turn causes profuse sweating. 

6. Arm Pain and Jaw Pain

If you experience pain in your left arm that has its origin in your back or shoulder, you should be worried. Never ignore the symptom and visit your cardiologist at the earliest, if the pain is recurring or unexplained. 

7. Heart Palpitation

Skipping or racing heartbeat, more commonly known as heart palpitation, is often a sign of heart disease. Speak to your cardiologist if the symptom persists for several hours. Here, you must note that heart palpitation is the most common symptom of cardiac disorders in teens.

8. Fainting 

Fainting is an emergency, irrespective of whether it is due to a heart condition or any other health issue. Your general physician should be able to help you identify the cause of your fainting. However, if you faint frequently or often feel dizzy, you must get yourself checked by an experienced cardiologist as soon as possible. 

Conclusion 

Visiting a cardiologist for an annual checkup is mandatory for every individual over 40, even if he or she doesn’t experience any of the above symptoms. The checkups should begin even earlier for people with a family history of heart disease or those with comorbidities.