The heart is the focal point of the body, is a known fact. So much so that the Romans and Greeks thought of it as the center of emotions too which gave rise to the entire plethora of heart-shaped valentine-related things. The fact that pollution and stress are both on the rise does not help in this scenario either as the heart is one of the most sensitive organs, easily and drastically affected by the general health of the body and the health of its surroundings.
As a result, the heart gets extra protection from the body even on a general basis. What is more, the heart is so important that the body sends out warning signs for you to pick up when it spots trouble.
Here are five signs that say your heart is in bad shape and that you should be taking better care of it. Almost all of these signs are extremely common but sadly, we ignore them for that same reason.
Learn your lesson while there is still time and pay heed to all of these red flags:
1. Extreme fatigue while doing basic physical workouts
This is something that most young professionals face anyway, and might be caused by a number of things. They include a bad diet, irregular sleep cycles, extreme workload, and unhealthy habits like smoking and drinking to ‘take the edge off’. All of these things affect metabolism which in turn affects heart activity and health.
The biggest marker for this will be the inability to carry out tasks that you used to carry out on a frequent basis like cycling to work or climbing the few flights of stairs to your apartment.
2. Chest cramps
Chest discomfort is one of the biggest markers of heart discomfort and should not be dismissed as something arising from bad posture or something along those lines. They may indicate artery blockages and may in serious cases of angina pectoris and other issues.
If you experience those every now and then, it is high time for you to go for a doctor’s check-up, irrespective of the number of sick days you have to take.
3. Discomfort in the upper body
Pain in the upper body, including things like jaw cramps and migraines, are signs of the heart not pumping enough blood throughout the body. Clogged arteries that arise, thanks to unhealthy diets and smoking bouts, will only deteriorate these things.
4. Sleep apnoea and snoring
Shortness of breath, that often accompanies sleep apnoea, is something that indicates inadequate oxygenation in the body. This should be a matter of concern if it continues for long periods of time.
5. General shortness of breath
This should be a matter of grave seriousness irrespective of the organ. Shortness of breath is more often than not a sign of deep-seated troubles like asthma or cardiac issues like arteries getting clogged or losing its elasticity.
If you have any or all of these signs, make sure that you go to a doctor and start changing your habits. It is more than high time!
