Heart disease often sneaks up on you like a thief in the night. You might not experience any symptoms of this disease until you have a heart attack or until you have other health issues that result in seeking medical attention. With the proper healthcare from our doctor, you can work together to look for the signs of heart disease before it takes over your life.
Although many people think of heart disease as something that’s related to a heart attack, it’s often much more detailed than that. The blood vessels are often impacted, and you might experience irregular heart rhythms, which is something that our doctor can pick up on as long as you maintain routine office visits. It also involves defects that you were born with that linger into adulthood. Some of these defects might not be noticed right after birth, presenting as you get older and the heart has time to grow. Some of the conditions that are associated with this disease include narrowing of the blood vessels that will prevent proper blood flow through your body, chest pain, and issues that impact the valves of your heart. You can sometimes prevent heart disease or decrease your risk by making changes to your lifestyle, such as losing weight or quitting smoking.
For women, chest discomfort or shortness of breath are often signs of heart disease while men will usually have severe chest pains. You could also experience nausea and vomiting or pain in your left arm, especially right before a heart attack. You might feel a tight feeling in your chest, similar to something heavy sitting on top of you. Weakness throughout your body is common with heart disease since blood flow is restricted. You might notice feelings of coldness in your arms and legs. Another common sign of heart disease is pain in your neck, back, and upper areas of your abdomen, especially on your left side. Sometimes, a doctor might not see symptoms of heart disease until you do have a heart attack. However, if you notice any changes in how you feel, you can usually seek medical attention in time so that the impacts from a heart attack are minimized.
Managing this disease can sometimes be difficult, but you can learn about External Counterpulsation Therapy (ECP) by getting in touch with the educated staff at the office of Dr. James DeStephens in Gainesville. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!
