Some of the symptoms of heart disease are subtle – some so subtle that they can seem like minor issues totally unconnected to a heart attack. If you have one or more, cardiological treatment could end up prolonging your life (and improving its quality).
Sleep Apnea – If you find yourself waking up because your sleep has be interrupted in the middle of the night, it may be a sign of an early heart problem. Though sleep apnea can develop completely on its own, but will impede flow of oxygen to the heart.
Dark Spots Under Your Nails – Splinter hemmorhages, which appear as dark spots under your nails, are caused by small blood clots. Often, they're a sign of heat-valve problems.
Lightheadedness – Frequent dizziness may be because of a heart problem. It happens wen you're not getting enough oxygen because your heart isn't strong enough to pump oxygenated blood to your brain.
Sexual Dysfunction – Bedroom problems can result from poor circulation or blood pressure problems. Erectile disfunction could be an early sign of heart problems, while women can have lower libidos from blood circulation.
Skin Discoloration – Cyanosis, a bluish tint to the skin in the fingertips and lips, indicates a lack of blood flow.
Poor Grip Strength could be caused by simple aging, but it's also been linked to heart failure and heart attacks.
Bleeding Gums, swelling, and tenderness are associated with heart disease. Some scientists theorize that bacteria from oral infections get into your bloodstream, where they cause heart problems, while others say that circulatory problems show up in your gums more prominently.
Dark Skin Patches aka acanthosis nigricans, around your neck and armpits
is most often associated with diabetes – a risk factor for heart disease.
Shortness of Breath – If you have difficulty breathing during walking, cleaning house, or other everyday activities, you may have the first signs of heart failure or coronary artery disease.
Swelling Legs, feet or ankles, particularly if you've been sitting or standing a long time, is a classic symptom of heart disease. It can be caused by vein clots or poor circulation resulting from heart failure.
Fatigue – If your heart can't pump fresh blood through your veins, every cell in your body can feel fatigued. If you're fatigued all the time, you should definitely see your doctor.
These signs may mean that a heart attack is on they way, or they mean nothing of the kind. But if you see or experience them, you should check it out with your doctor – especially since some can appear literally overnight.
At Senior Insights, we do the next best thing. The first thing we do with a prospective client is to conduct a needs assessment involving not only him or her, but also the family. This way, we learn not only the details of the physical needs, but the cognitive and psychosocial needs as well, And because no needs are static, our monthly nurse visits are more than a check of vital signs; they look for signs of diseases such as heart attacks, as well as anything else that may threaten (or enhance) the client's independence.
Sound good to you? Then please give us a phone call or email to lean more.
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