If you may have these three concerning symptoms, it’s time to get to the guts of the issue.
Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon based in Savannah, Georgia, warns that struggling to breathe while walking or laying down and/or experiencing leg swelling may mean you may have a weak heart.
“These ought to be red flags,” London said Tuesday on TikTok.
Shortness of breath when walking
Shortness of breath — whenever you struggle to get enough oxygen, making you breathe harder, faster or deeper than usual — typically stems from heart or lung conditions, in accordance with the Mayo Clinic.
The symptom may begin suddenly or last more. Common causes include a heart attack, an irregular heartbeat or heart failure.
The NJ Cardiovascular Institute urges in search of medical help if shortness of breath is accompanied by swelling of the ankles and feet, respiratory troubles when laying flat, chills, cough, high fever or wheezing.
Respiration troubles when laying down
Orthopnea is the medical term for shortness of breath while laying down — sitting or standing up often helps.
In case your heart is weak, it’s going to struggle to pump out the additional blood that naturally redistributes out of your legs to your lungs when laying flat.
Propping yourself up with pillows to sleep may temporarily relieve symptoms, but you must visit a healthcare provider in case you suffer from orthopnea, especially in case you even have chest pain or tightness, heart palpitations, wheezing or coughing.
Orthopnea is usually an indication of heart failure.
Swollen legs
Fluid buildup within the tissues causes swelling, called edema. Blood backing up within the veins of your legs may indicate that your heart is just not functioning in addition to it should.
It is usually the primary noticeable sign of heart failure.
Experts suggest in search of medical care if the swelling starts suddenly and for no clear reason and if it’s accompanied by chest pain, respiratory troubles, fainting, dizziness or a cough that produces blood.
London said on the doctor’s office, you’ll give your medical history and undergo a physical exam that will include an echocardiogram.
“An ultrasound probe that’s placed on the chest … typically can measure ejection fraction, which is the share of blood that’s ejected from the guts with each beat,” London said.
“Normal is 65 to 70%,” he continued, “if it’s markedly decreased from that, that might be a sign of heart failure or a weak heart.”
If you may have these three concerning symptoms, it’s time to get to the guts of the issue.
Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon based in Savannah, Georgia, warns that struggling to breathe while walking or laying down and/or experiencing leg swelling may mean you may have a weak heart.
“These ought to be red flags,” London said Tuesday on TikTok.
Shortness of breath when walking
Shortness of breath — whenever you struggle to get enough oxygen, making you breathe harder, faster or deeper than usual — typically stems from heart or lung conditions, in accordance with the Mayo Clinic.
The symptom may begin suddenly or last more. Common causes include a heart attack, an irregular heartbeat or heart failure.
The NJ Cardiovascular Institute urges in search of medical help if shortness of breath is accompanied by swelling of the ankles and feet, respiratory troubles when laying flat, chills, cough, high fever or wheezing.
Respiration troubles when laying down
Orthopnea is the medical term for shortness of breath while laying down — sitting or standing up often helps.
In case your heart is weak, it’s going to struggle to pump out the additional blood that naturally redistributes out of your legs to your lungs when laying flat.
Propping yourself up with pillows to sleep may temporarily relieve symptoms, but you must visit a healthcare provider in case you suffer from orthopnea, especially in case you even have chest pain or tightness, heart palpitations, wheezing or coughing.
Orthopnea is usually an indication of heart failure.
Swollen legs
Fluid buildup within the tissues causes swelling, called edema. Blood backing up within the veins of your legs may indicate that your heart is just not functioning in addition to it should.
It is usually the primary noticeable sign of heart failure.
Experts suggest in search of medical care if the swelling starts suddenly and for no clear reason and if it’s accompanied by chest pain, respiratory troubles, fainting, dizziness or a cough that produces blood.
London said on the doctor’s office, you’ll give your medical history and undergo a physical exam that will include an echocardiogram.
“An ultrasound probe that’s placed on the chest … typically can measure ejection fraction, which is the share of blood that’s ejected from the guts with each beat,” London said.
“Normal is 65 to 70%,” he continued, “if it’s markedly decreased from that, that might be a sign of heart failure or a weak heart.”
