Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Lithuania. Doctors note that many deaths could be avoided if patients recognised in time the signs that signal the onset of the disease. We present 5 symptoms of heart disease that we often fail to notice.

1. Fatigue

Fatigue that just won't pass, troubling you not only after a long working day but also on a restful weekend, is a sign that it's time to be concerned and to have the necessary tests done. Persistent exhaustion quite often signals heart failure and, in rarer cases, even coronary (coronary artery) heart disease.

2. Aching and pain of unclear origin

Coronary heart disease is caused by build-ups of fatty deposits inside the arteries. The deposits clog the coronary arteries and make them inelastic. A blockage can form in one or several different places and be of varying severity. Such a condition makes the heart's work harder and causes pain – not necessarily in the chest area, by the way. Unpleasant sensations can be felt in the shoulders, arms, back, pelvis and even the jaw. Pain caused by coronary disease appears during active movement and disappears at rest.

3. Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath is a sensation of laboured, irregular breathing. Mild breathlessness after a long-postponed active workout is perhaps unsurprising, but if difficulty breathing appears without any serious cause (for example, after climbing the stairs to the second floor), it can mean heart problems.

4. Swollen feet or ankles

The unpleasant swelling of the legs is familiar to many – especially in the summer months. Still, it happens that swelling of the feet and legs signals the onset of cardiovascular disease. Very often swollen legs signal heart failure.

5. Heart palpitations

A heart palpitation is defined as an irregular, often intense heartbeat. Everyone has experienced palpitations at least a few times in their life. Most often this sensation is not dangerous to the heart: palpitations are caused by excitement, anxiety, a larger dose of caffeine or thirst. Nevertheless, an irregular heartbeat sometimes indicates heart disease. If you often feel heart palpitations, it's important to note how intense they are and what you're doing when they occur. If heart palpitations start while you're resting calmly, reading a book or watching television, that's a sign it's time to consult a doctor.
If you've noticed even one of these symptoms, don't delay – come to AND klinika, where the experienced cardiologist Alma Čypienė is waiting for you. We'll help you get well!