Your heart health is not something that can be taken lightly. Fortunately, there are often warning signs that will let you know if you’re at risk of having heart problems in the future. At Champion Heart & Vascular Center, we can help you improve your heart health. Read below to learn about some signs that indicate that you should see a cardiologist at Champion Healthcare Services in Raleigh, NC.
Chest pain
Severe chest pain can be one of a number of things. If you’ve never had heartburn before, it can feel like you’re having a heart attack. While it might seem silly to see your cardiologist or another doctor treat heartburn as you can get medication over the counter to treat it, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you have any concerns at all about whether your chest pain is related to something you ate or it’s more severe, see a doctor right away.
High blood pressure
Your blood pressure, or hypertension, has a huge effect on not only your heart health but your overall health as well. Signs of hypertension include chronic and severe headaches, vision problems, chest pain, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, or blood in your urine. High blood pressure makes your heart work harder than it should to pump blood throughout your body. Even though hard work is good for the rest of the muscles in your body, it can cause the walls of your heart to thicken and increase your risk of a heart attack.
Experience shortness of breath or dizziness
Shortness of breath is a sign that you have an abnormal heartbeat or coronary artery disease. This can negatively affect your body’s ability to distribute oxygen throughout your body, which can cause dizziness if it’s not getting to your brain. It’s important to have a cardiologist evaluate the state of your heart so you can find out the cause of your shortness of breath or dizziness.
You’re diabetic
If you’re diabetic, you’re at a greater risk of developing heart disease as high blood sugar levels will impact the function of blood vessels. It’s crucial that the state of your heart is closely monitored when you have diabetes so that you’re aware of any signs of cardiovascular disease as they develop.
History of smoking
While smoking is most commonly associated with lung disease, those who smoke are at a tremendous risk of heart disease as well as one in five smoking-related deaths is caused by heart disease. Smoking decreases oxygen levels in the blood, causes blood clotting disorders, and damages the lining of blood vessels. These can all lead to an early heart attack.
Family history of heart disease
Unfortunately, genetics play a major role in the way your body develops certain diseases and heart disease is one of them. A family history of high cholesterol and hypertension will contribute to early-onset heart disease and should be taken seriously. By gaining an understanding of your risk factors early, you can better prepare yourself for ways to combat them before they progress too far.
Schedule your appointment
These are just a few warning signs that you could already have or be at risk of developing heart disease. The team at Champion Healthcare Services in Raleigh, NC will take care of you and your heart. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a cardiologist. You can reach our office by sending a message using our contact form or calling your nearby Champion clinic. We look forward to seeing you.
