Heart disease has both genetic and environmental components, as it tends to run in families but can also be impacted by your lifestyle choices such as unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle. Heart problems are also made worse by tobacco, drug and alcohol use. If you are guilty of having a less than healthy lifestyle, or if heart disease runs in your family, then you may be at risk for heart problems. Thus, it is important to know the warning signs of heart problems so that you can get treatment, or even stop them before they begin.
No matter how hard you try or what your new age friend tells you you cannot change your genetics, but there are things that you can control that are beneficial to your heart health. It might seem impossible, but even the smallest of change towards a healthier lifestyle can have a huge impact on the health of your heart. It might not be easy, but it will get easier with time. Start small by setting attainable goals, one at a time. It’s a marathon, not a sprint! Reaching any of these goals can lead to a healthier heart and a happier you.
Before you start on your journey to heart health, let’s cover some of the basics! Here are 10 of \ major warning signs of heart problems:
An Irregular Heart Beat
If you are excited about a new promotion or nervous about talking in front of a large group (or to your cute neighbor) it’s not unlikely that your heartbeat might be a bit off beat with an added or skipped beat here and there. However, an abnormal heartbeat can be a concern when it persists for more than a few seconds or if it is a common occurrence.
If this is the case, be sure to seek medical help. According to Vincent Bufalino, cardiologist, “in most cases, it’s caused by something that’s easy to fix, like too much caffeine or not enough sleep.” However, this is not always the solution and it is impossible to know unless you ask your doctor to perform the necessary tests to see whether or not it is atrial fibrillation, a condition that needs treatment, or another heart condition.
