Signs of Heart Problems |
Problems Associated With Diagnosing the Signs of Heart ProblemsLess than 1 of 5 heart problems are detected before symptoms become evident. The signs of heart problems are not necessarily obvious. They may be subtle and quite difficult to detect. For a lot of people, their health can decline so gradually that it's barely noticed, inching up on them over time. At the beginning, signs of heart problems can be unusual changes in heart rythm, chest pain, collapsing from exhaustion after heavy physical exercise or sports related work outs. Two of the most common heart problems are coronary artery disease (the buildup of plaque in the arteries of the heart) and idiopathic cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle without a known cause). Many types of heart problems are associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), high blood pressure (hypertension), heart valve disease and high cholesterol. If your symptoms are more evident, it may be time to see a cardiologist. A lot of heart problems are not evident just by listening with a stethoscope. If they're present all the time, they may be found with a resting EKG. Some heart problems are not there all the time and may not appear in the EKG results. In those cases where heart problems are suspected but not found with the EKG, a halter monitor might be used. Most heart problems are easier to find when your heart is working harder than when it's resting. People who are found to have a problem with their heart should wear a medical alert bracelet and to go to the hospital if they experience chest, back or abdominal pain. |