THE KILLER DISEASES: HEART DISEASES
It may seem strange to you that I include diabetes and kidney diseases in this section. I do so because the worst effects of these diseases are frequently seen in the heart or the vascular system.
The main job of the heart is to circulate the blood through the body. The healthy heart can do this task without difficulty. But there are many diseases that can injure this wonderful piece of machinery.
Symptoms of heart disease
There are certain general symptoms that indicate there is something wrong with the heart. They do not definitely prove the existence of heart disease. But they are sufficiently important for you to see a doctor if you discover any of them.
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Increasing dyspnoea (shortness of breath) on exertion. If activity you were formerly able to carry out without trouble begins to leave you quite breathless, be sure to consult your doctor.
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Oedema (swelling) of the ankles. If your ankles swell at the end of the day, consult your doctor, especially if you can make a deep mark in the swelling by pressing with a finger.
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Angina pectoris (pain over the heart or in the middle of the chest). This may be a sharp pain or a tight feeling. It usually follows some physical activity or a condition of excitement, and sometimes a heavy meal. Ordinarily, it lasts only a minute or two and is relieved by remaining motionless. If you experience such a sensation, be sure to tell your doctor.
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Other symptoms. Fortunately, dizziness, fainting spells, blue lips, attacks resembling asthma, and extreme fatigue usually distress people sufficiently to make them consult a doctor. Spitting or coughing up blood, or a cough that persists in spite of treatment, can also indicate heart disease.
Palpitation (fluttering of the heart) is not in itself a danger signal. Many healthy people have extra beats of the heart, or feel as though it had flopped over or stopped for a moment. People with heart disease may experience palpitation, but they will usually have other symptoms as well.
Paroxysmal tachycardia starts suddenly and ends abruptly, with the heart beating furiously; sometimes it lasts for hours or even for days. People who are nervous or worried may have frequent attacks of paroxysmal tachycardia without ever developing heart disease.
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