Heart diseases claim close to 18 millions every year
Just when you thought that symptoms of heart disease are only limited to the chest, you are proved wrong! Contrary to the belief that heart diseases do not show any prior symptoms, there are several symptoms that silently present themselves, which may save lives if recognised early.
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What is the sign in legs and arms that can be an indicator for heart health?
Numbness of legs and arms can be a major indicator of heart disease.
Numbness can be identified by no feeling or sensation in the legs and arms when you are at rest for a longer duration. Sometimes this numbness can also occur all of a sudden without any reason.
While in many cases the numbness goes away on its own and the body part gets back the sensation, in many cases it lasts for several hours or even days.
Other characteristics of numbness are that the specific area may look pale and may also feel cold when touched.
Whenever you see such discoloration and weird sensation in your arms and legs, contact a doctor. If these symptoms occur repeatedly, seek immediate medical help.
Why does this occur?
When the blood vessel narrows down, it limits the amount of blood that is actually required for arms and legs resulting in a condition called peripheral arterial disease. This leads to poor blood supply to these body parts, as a result of which several complications arise, and the most common of them is numbness.
Several health experts have linked the occurrence of heart disease in those with peripheral arterial disease. The risk of having heart disease increases when one is having this condition.
Other signs of heart problem seen in limbs
Apart from numbness, there are several other signs that can indicate a possible heart disease.
It is therefore very important to keep an eye on these symptoms and consult a doctor if these are occurring frequently.
Pain in the muscles of feet, muscle ache, extreme tiredness in muscles and unusual discomfort in the muscles also indicate heart disease.
Burning sensation in feet is also an indicator of heart disease.
Discomfort can be seen in calves and thighs as well.
Swelling in the legs and feet is also another potential indicator of heart disease.
What are the other symptoms of heart disease?
The other symptoms of heart disease which are closely and distinctively associated with the problem are shortness of breath, chest tightness, pain in the chest, overpressure on the chest and angina or chest discomfort.
People having issues in the heart can also experience pain in the neck, jaw, upper belly area and even in the throat region.
Heart diseases claim close to 18 million lives every year
As per the estimates of the World Health Organisation (WHO), cardiovascular diseases claim close to 18 million lives every year. These include diseases like coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease and other conditions.
It is alarming to note that of the total number of deaths which occur due to heart diseases, one third occur in people who are aged less than 70. This is a clear indication that heart diseases pose a greater risk for young people as well.
Important points to know
Though heart diseases grow within a body without giving any significant signs, they can be spotted at an early stage when one gets regular checkups.
Cholesterol levels, heart rate, blood sugar level, body mass index are few of the indicators of heart disease.
As much as it is important to have medical checkups, it is important to have a healthy lifestyle. Alcohol consumption, tobacco intake, smoking, having junk and processed foods are few catalysts of heart disease.