Identifying Signs of Cardiovascular Problems

Your cardiovascular system starts with your heart and extends throughout your body, making it difficult to spot problems in this complex system. However, there are signs that can indicate potential issues if you know what to watch for. 

To help you recognize potential cardiovascular health concerns, premier cardiologist Dr. James Kim and our team will review three common symptoms.

Chest Discomfort

Let’s start with the most obvious sign of heart trouble — chest pain, also known as angina.

Although we call it “pain,” this can include any chest discomfort, like pressure or squeezing. This pain might also spread from your chest to your jaw, shoulders, back, and arms.

When you feel chest pain, your first thought might be about a heart attack, which can show different signs in men and women.

The main sign of a heart attack for both genders is chest pain, but women are more likely to also experience:

• Difficulty breathing
• Feeling sick/nausea or throwing up
• Ache in the back or jaw
• Cold sweats

If you or someone else suddenly has these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Besides a heart attack, chest pain can be caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, pericarditis, mitral valve prolapse, aortic dissection, or myocarditis.

No matter what is causing your chest pain, it’s crucial to seek medical help right away, as this is a symptom you should never ignore.

Swelling of the Legs

If you have continuous problems with leg swelling, also known as edema, it may be related to your cardiovascular health. When you have unexplained leg swelling (without an obvious injury), it typically means that there is fluid build-up in your tissues due to poor circulation.

There are many reasons why you may have poor circulation in your legs, including:

• Cardiomyopathy
• Pericarditis
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Heart failure

While leg swelling isn’t always an emergency, it’s important to identify the underlying cause so we can improve your circulation and reduce the risk of more serious issues like heart attacks and strokes.

Palpitations of the Heart

Another common sign of a cardiovascular issue is heart palpitations, though this symptom can also be normal and harmless.

Typically, your heart beats without you noticing. However, when you become aware of your heartbeat, it’s called a palpitation. Palpitations can feel like:

• A rapid heartbeat
• Strong pounding
• Flutters
• Skipping beats
• Flip-flopping in your chest

Often, you may notice these sensations after exercising or a sudden fright, and they are usually harmless. Panic attacks can also cause heart palpitations. While your heart may not be at risk, this can indicate that your anxiety needs medical attention.

However, experiencing heart palpitations without an obvious cause could signal an arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. Many arrhythmias are mild, but it’s important to identify and monitor them closely. This is why you should visit us if you frequently experience heart palpitations.

Overall, if you notice anything unusual and suspect it may be related to your cardiovascular health, it’s important to investigate further. To get started, contact one of our locations in Chula Vista or National City, California.