Early symptoms of heart disease

Written by Xiao Chang Jiang
Cardiology
Updated on September 27, 2024
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How is heart disease diagnosed? What are its early symptoms? Actually, the concept of heart disease is very broad as it includes many diseases related to the heart. Generally, it refers to problems with the structure or function of the heart, or its inability to perform its pumping function. Its early symptoms can include chest tightness, chest pain, or a crushing feeling after activity, and some may even radiate to the back or the inside of the arms, even involving the shoulders, presenting symptoms like increased heart rate, palpitations, tinnitus, and breathing difficulties. All these are related to heart disease. But how can we determine what kind of heart disease it is? We believe that the first step is to visit a hospital for tests such as electrocardiograms (ECG), ambulatory ECGs, exercise stress tests, and other imaging tests including coronary CT and even coronary angiography. Of course, some biochemical tests are also necessary, such as myocardial enzymes, troponins, myoglobins, brain natriuretic peptides, immunological and biological tests, which all help to determine the nature of the heart disease. In summary, we must pay special attention to heart disease, and once these symptoms appear, we should seek medical attention promptly and early.

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Is congenital heart disease heart cancer?

Congenital heart disease primarily refers to the abnormal development of the heart and blood vessels during the fetal period, leading to cardiovascular malformations. It is the most common type of heart disease in children, with an incidence rate of about 6-8 per 1,000 live births. Generally, congenital heart disease refers to malformations during the development of the fetal heart. The exact causes of this condition are still not completely understood. However, actively preventing viral infectious diseases in the early stages of pregnancy and avoiding certain high-risk factors associated with the disease play a significant role in preventing congenital heart disease in children. It should be noted that congenital heart disease represents malformations in the development of the heart and is not a form of heart cancer, hence there is no terminology that describes it as such.

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How to relieve vomiting caused by heart disease?

Treatment for vomiting caused by heart disease must depend on its cause. First, if caused by heart failure, as the symptoms of heart failure worsen, including right-sided heart failure, patients may experience nausea, vomiting, and bloating after eating. The key in these cases is to correct heart failure, perhaps with intravenous diuretic medications or the newer diuretic drug tolvaptan, which can alleviate symptoms of vomiting caused by heart failure. Secondly, digoxin toxicity can cause vomiting if patients with heart failure are taking too much or have been on digoxin for a prolonged period. The primary action in these instances is to discontinue the digoxin medication promptly. Thirdly, if associated with gastritis, treatment would involve medications to stop vomiting and oral omeprazole to protect the stomach lining. (Medications should be taken under medical supervision.)

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Can people with heart disease drink alcohol?

Patients with heart disease should not consume alcohol, especially those with severe heart conditions such as coronary heart disease, severe arrhythmias, and viral myocarditis. These patients especially should avoid alcohol as they need to use many medications during treatment. If they consume alcohol, the alcohol entering the body can chemically interact with some medications, leading to reduced efficacy, diminished effects, or causing side effects. Additionally, for these heart disease patients, consuming alcohol can increase the burden on the heart and exacerbate symptoms of heart disease.

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Can heart disease be inherited?

Whether heart disease is hereditary depends on the specific type of heart disease. Some heart conditions are hereditary diseases, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is an autosomal dominant inherited disease and can be inherited. Some heart diseases are related to genetics, such as coronary heart disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. These genetically related diseases significantly increase the risk of their offspring developing these conditions, but it does not necessarily mean that they will develop the disease, as environmental factors also play a crucial role. Of course, some heart diseases are not genetic, such as most congenital heart diseases, heart valve diseases, infective endocarditis, and myocarditis, which are not related to genetics.

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Manifestations of Cor Pulmonale

Cor pulmonale refers to a disease characterized by changes in heart structure and function due to increased pulmonary vascular resistance caused by pathological conditions of the bronchi, lungs, thoracic cage, or pulmonary vessels, leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension. This condition is collectively known as cor pulmonale. The clinical manifestations of cor pulmonale generally develop slowly. Clinically, in addition to pulmonary and pleural symptoms, there gradually appear signs of pulmonary cardiac failure and damage to other organs. Common symptoms include coughing, expectoration, palpitations, dyspnea, fatigue, decreased endurance to physical activity. In the decompensated stage, symptoms such as worsening dyspnea, headaches, insomnia, decreased appetite, and even some signs of right heart failure like palpitations, poor appetite, abdominal bloating, nausea, and swelling of the lower limbs may occur.