If you have these three symptoms, it’s time to get to the heart of the problem.
Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon based in Savannah, Georgia, warns that difficulty breathing while walking or lying down and/or experiencing leg swelling could mean you have a weak heart.
“These should be red flags,” London said on TikTok on Tuesday.
Breathing while walking
Shortness of breath — when you struggle to get enough oxygen, causing you to breathe harder, faster or deeper than usual — usually stems from heart or lung disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The symptom may start suddenly or last longer. Common causes include a heart attack, an irregular heartbeat, or heart failure.
The NJ Cardiovascular Institute calls for medical help if shortness of breath is accompanied by swelling of the ankles and feet, trouble breathing when lying down, chills, cough, high fever, or shortness of breath.
Breathing problems when lying down
Orthopnea is the medical term for shortness of breath when lying down – sitting or standing often helps.
If your heart is weak, it will struggle to pump the extra blood that is naturally redistributed from your legs to your lungs when you lie down.
Propping yourself up with pillows to sleep may temporarily relieve symptoms, but you should see a health care provider if you suffer from orthopnea, especially if you also have chest pain or tightness, palpitations, wheezing, or a cough.
Orthopnea is often a sign of heart failure.
Swollen legs
The accumulation of fluid in the tissues causes swelling, called edema. Blood pooling in the veins of your legs may indicate that your heart is not working as well as it should.
It is often the first visible sign of heart failure.
Experts suggest seeking medical attention if the swelling starts suddenly and for no apparent reason and is accompanied by chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, dizziness, or coughing up blood.
London said at the doctor’s office, you will provide your medical history and undergo a physical exam that may include an echocardiogram.
“An ultrasound probe that is placed on the chest … can usually measure the ejection fraction, which is the percentage of blood that is pumped out of the heart with each beat,” London said.
“The normal is 65 to 70%,” he continued, “if it’s significantly lower than that, it could be an indication of heart failure or a weak heart.”
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