Around 7.6 million people in the UK live with a heart or circulatory disease. Heart conditions, especially in an ageing population, are prevalent. Heart attacks alone make up for over 100,000 hospital admissions each year.
If you’ve been experiencing pain or other symptoms in your chest and are wondering whether an underlying condition might be affecting you, it might be time to see a cardiologist. As a guide, the following symptoms might point towards a more severe illness.
Signs You Might Have Heart Disease
The following symptoms might suggest a risk of heart disease or a heart attack. Note that if you experience intense pain and unwellness alongside a number of these symptoms, you should immediately seek medical attention.
Chest Pain
Chest pain is the most definitive symptom of heart disease or the risk of a heart attack. Despite this, many people don’t realise how severe such a symptom can be. If you feel very unwell and experience chest pain, you should immediately dial 999.
If it’s a heart attack, you might experience tightness or pressure in the chest. If these symptoms arise when you exert yourself but disappear again with rest, you might be suffering from Angina. In that case it is still time to see a doctor, but it’s no immediate emergency.
Other symptoms
- Feeling sweaty even when at rest.
- Shortness of breath: If you’re observing shortness of breath even though you have not been exerting yourself, this may be another sign of heart disease.
- Fluttering in your chest
- Racing heartbeat
- Lightheadedness
- Slow heartbeat
- Swelling in the hands, ankles or feet.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
- Regular and unusual fatigue
How Is Heart Disease Diagnosed?
There are various tests for heart disease that cardiologists can employ to diagnose a condition.
Your doctor will ask you about your medical and family history and check your blood pressure during a consultation. They may also do a blood test to look for higher cholesterol levels.
Depending on the results of these first examinations, you may require further tests for heart disease.
Coronary angiography may be used to get a high-resolution image of your main arteries. This allows cardiologists to check for narrowed or blocked arteries.
An echocardiogram looks at the heart and nearby blood vessels. This type of ultrasound scan whereby a small probe sends out high-frequency sound waves that bounce off parts of your body. The Echocardiogram can look for congenital heart disease, heart failure and damages from a heart attack.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) records the frequency and rhythm of your heartbeats to get a clear idea of any irregularities and see how your heart might function under stress.
Concerned About Heart Disease? See a Cardiologist in Your Area
If you have any of the symptoms described above or are unsure about your medical history and want peace of mind, it might be time to see a cardiologist. Our clinic is in Warrington, in the northwest of England, and provides friendly consultations. In addition, we can run tests to determine if you have a heart condition and advise you on how to change your lifestyle if necessary and proceed from there. Tests are carried out on the day, rather than having long waiting times, and results will be with you quickly.
Get in touch today to book an appointment.
