Diet is one of the most effective ways to protect against heart disease. It helps lower cholesterol levels, blood pressure and body weight.
Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products can help keep your arteries clear. The key is to stick with it over time.
1. Heart palpitations
Heart palpitations are an often encountered ailment that may leave you feeling anxious or afraid. While they typically resolve on their own, they could be indicative of an underlying health issue requiring treatment.
If your heart palpitations are occurring more frequently than normal or lasting longer than a week, it’s time to consult with a healthcare provider.
They may send you for testing to identify the source of your heart palpitations. This could involve an electrocardiogram (ECG) or Holter monitor.
An ECG is a recording of your heart’s electrical activity over 12 seconds, which can detect any overt or subtle disturbances you might not be aware of. Your doctor may order other tests such as a blood test to check thyroid or potassium levels.
2. Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath, known as dyspnea, is a warning sign that something is wrong with your heart or lungs. Your heart and lungs work in synergy to bring oxygen into the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide.
Shortness of breath can be caused by a variety of health conditions, such as lung disease (like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), cancer, scarring and damage caused by toxins, infections, medications or medical procedures.
Shortness of breath can come on suddenly and then go away, or it may develop gradually over weeks or months. If it feels like pressure or squeezing in the chest, it’s best to see your doctor right away.
Your doctor may run tests to detect any serious conditions that require treatment. They’ll ask a series of questions about your symptoms, such as which activities make them worse and for how long.
3. Unpleasant stomach symptoms
It is common for people to experience unpleasant stomach symptoms from time to time. However, these could also be signs of an undiagnosed or serious medical issue.
Doctors recommend calling your doctor immediately if you experience abdominal pain that lasts one week or longer, bloating that lasts more than two days, or diarrhea that lasts five days or longer. Other symptoms like fever, blood in your stools, tenderness or swelling to touch should also be reported to your physician.
Eating fatty foods and heavy meals may contribute to heart disease and the likelihood of having a heart attack, due to plaque buildup in arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the heart.
A coronary event is the most severe type of heart attack, occurring when a blockage in an artery blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. This obstruction is often caused by cholesterol deposits accumulating within these arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your muscles.
4. Fatigue
If you’re feeling exhausted all the time, it’s essential to identify what’s causing it and find a solution. It could be as straightforward as getting enough sleep at night and scheduling in some downtime for relaxation.
But, if you’re experiencing chronic fatigue, there may be a more serious underlying issue that needs further exploration. It could be due to various causes like an overwhelming work load, inadequate nutrition or medical complications.
Dieting can cause fatigue, so it’s essential to follow a balanced diet that contains energy-boosting foods and nutrients. Additionally, getting plenty of sleep, exercising regularly and reducing stress levels are recommended for optimal wellbeing.