5 Signs You Could Have a Heart Problem

Cardiac diseases and heart ailments are amongst the most widespread health issues in India. The major reasons behind heart problems are unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, day to day stress and genetic factors. In most cases, the existence of a heart problem gets detected only after a stroke or cardiac arrest takes place. Early detection can help one to safeguard against the condition and also take precautionary measures to reverse the damage caused. 

Heart problems exhibit some surprisingly common symptoms that one may never associate with a heart condition. Some of these are:

Snoring

In medical terms, snoring refers to narrowing of the nasal tract. Unless you are suffering from a cold or nasal congestion, snoring should not be taken lightly. Persistent, loud and lasting snoring could be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea. This condition raises the risk of stroke and cardiac arrest, as the pauses in breathing to exert a lot of stress on the heart. 

Swollen Feet

Swelling in the feet usually happens when you walk a long distance, wear tight shoes and socks or suffer from water retention. It could also happen due to pregnancy, medication or an underlying disease. But if you experience this condition very often, it is better to get it checked. In some cases, it could be an indication of Edema, a condition that occurs due to the accumulation of excessive fluid in the tissues of the body. Edema prevents heart from pumping blood effectively, which could lead to heart failure. 

Nausea

The most common causes of nausea are usually an upset stomach or pregnancy. However, sometimes nausea along with heartburn or indigestion can be a sign of heart disease or an impending heart attack. It may also result in dizziness or light-headedness, which could be caused by blockages in the arteries that reduce blood pressure or even by faulty valves that cannot maintain the right blood pressure.

Neck, Jaw and Back pain

Neck and back pain is usually associated with a muscle pull and physical exertion, whereas jaw pain is rather rare but it might be caused by fever in some people. But, it is crucial to know that these three pain points are strongly associated with heart problems; particularly a heart attack. One should take special precautions if there is heaviness in the chest which is spreading to neck, jaw and back as pain, and report to a doctor immediately.

Exhaustion

Do you get tired easily? Does a small flight of stairs make you breathless? Persistent exhaustion can be a symptom of heart problem and must be checked with a doctor right away. This could be caused by the inefficient and insufficient blood supply to the body, which leads to lack of oxygen resulting in exhaustion and drowsiness. 

The ideal way to keep heart problems at bay is a healthy lifestyle comprising a balanced diet and regular exercise. However, medical emergencies are known to strike even the fittest people. Heart problems can translate into heavy medical bills, ranging from expenses due to regular consultation to exorbitant hospitalisation charges in case of an emergency. So, it is advisable to safeguard your savings by purchasing cardiac care insurance to take the financial stress off your heart.  

When selecting a health care insurance plan, make sure it is from a reputed insurance company, and it specifically caters to cardiac diseases and conditions. An excellent example is the HDFC Life Cardiac Care health plan. This policy provides comprehensive cover for an extensive list of heart conditions and procedures, ranging from mild to high severity. It gives you a lump sum payout irrespective of actual expense incurred for diagnosis or procedure. You can enter this policy even at the age of 65 and buy a minimum cover of Rs. 2 lakh and maximum of Rs. 5 lakh. Since it is a health insurance plan, a tax deduction on the premium can be availed under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act 1961.

If you have a pre-existing condition, then it is wise to ensure that your cardiac care plan covers your case. In cases where there is a perceived susceptibility to a certain heart problem owing to genetic and hereditary factors, be sure to purchase a policy that covers the specific condition.  

India has the highest heart failure deaths in the world as per a global study. The Indian Heart Association states that 50% of all heart attacks in Indians occur under 50 years of age and 25% of all heart attacks in Indians occur under 40 years of age. In light of these statistics, it is imperative that you follow a healthy lifestyle to maintain your heart’s health as well as buy a cardiac care insurance plan to meet the treatment expenses in case an unfortunate situation arises.