The heart, as a constantly beating "engine of life", pumps about 8 tons of blood every day and beats over 3 billion times in its lifetime.When it encounters abnormalities, it will "call for help" through various signals, but many people often ignore these signals, ultimately leading to serious consequences.
Professor Zheng Yin, Vice President of Hainan Cancer Hospital, Vice President of Hainan Chengmei Hospital, and cardiovascular expert, reminds us that understanding the distress signals of the heart can buy golden time for treatment and even save lives.
Professor Zheng Yin has been dedicated to clinical, scientific research, and preventive healthcare in cardiovascular medicine and geriatric diseases for 37 years.As a leading figure in the field of cardiovascular rehabilitation and health management in Hainan Province, she excels in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and health management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases as well as elderly diseases.
Chest pain: the most easily perceived heart alarm
Professor Zheng Yin stated that chest pain is the most common "distress signal" for the heart, but not all chest pain is related to the heart, and its characteristics can help with preliminary diagnosis.
Angina pectoris caused by coronary heart disease: It is mostly a squeezing or tightening pain behind the sternum or left chest (similar to a large stone pressing on the chest), which can radiate to the left shoulder, inner left arm, back, neck, and chin.It often appears after fatigue and emotional excitement, and taking a few minutes of rest or sublingual nitroglycerin can alleviate it.
(Note: Some atypical angina pectoris may also be manifested as epigastric pain ("stomach disease" feeling), toothache, mandible pain, shoulder and back pain, especially women, the elderly, and diabetes patients should be alert to misdiagnosis.)
Acute myocardial infarction: Chest pain is more severe, often accompanied by sweating, nausea, vomiting, and cannot be relieved after rest or medication (30 minutes).This persistent chest pain/tightness is extremely dangerous and a typical sign of a heart attack. Call 120 immediately!
Palpitations and dyspnea: significant abnormal manifestations that cannot be ignored
Palpitation: refers to the feeling of abnormal heartbeat (too fast, too slow, or irregular).
Occasional palpitations: may be caused by intense exercise, emotional tension, drinking alcohol, coffee, etc., and should be relieved after rest without excessive worry.
Frequent palpitations: If accompanied by dizziness, chest tightness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, etc., it may be a signal of arrhythmia, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy and other diseases. Timely electrocardiogram and dynamic electrocardiogram examination are needed.
Case: Ms. Li, 57 years old, once felt her heartbeat was irregular, sometimes too fast, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, accompanied by dizziness. At first, she didnt pay attention to it until she suddenly fainted and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.Doctors advice: Delaying may cause a stroke
Dyspnea: When the heart is not functioning properly, the ability to pump blood decreases, leading to pulmonary congestion and causing respiratory distress. Its characteristics include:
• Aggravated after activity, relieved after rest;
When lying flat, the condition worsens (requiring a high pillow), and when sitting up, it slightly eases (breathing while sitting upright);
Suddenly waking up from a deep sleep at night and needing to sit up to catch breath (intermittent difficulty breathing at night);
• Shortness of breath even during light activities and rest.
These are strong signals of heart failure and require immediate medical attention!
Lower limb edema: hidden heart distress message
When the heart is not functioning properly, systemic congestion can cause obstruction of venous return in the lower limbs, leading to lower limb edema:
Starting from the ankle, there are indentations when pressing;
It worsens in the evening or after standing for a long time, and decreases after resting overnight.
If accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty breathing and fatigue, be alert to "heart failure" and promptly go to the hospital to check heart failure indicators and cardiac ultrasound.
Case: Ms. Zhao, 55 years old, neglected ankle swelling for several months. The swelling was obvious at night (pressing left a pit), but later she found out that it was a heart problem when the swelling worsened and she gasped for breath and sought medical attention.Doctors suggest that lower limb edema may be a sign of the heart calling for help.
Dizziness, fainting, or near fainting: an instant blackout of the brain
Manifested as sudden spinning, blackening of the eyes, unstable standing, and even a brief loss of consciousness and falling.
This may be due to a sudden decrease in the amount of blood pumped by the heart (such as severe arrhythmia, aortic valve stenosis, cardiomyopathy) leading to insufficient blood supply to the brain, which is very dangerous and requires urgent medical evaluation!
How to deal with the distress of the heart?
Immediate action: Do not hesitate when experiencing persistent chest pain/tightness, shortness of breath, and other "core distress signals" that do not improve!Immediately call the emergency number (120, etc.) and do not drive to the hospital by yourself
Rest on site: Stop activity, remain quiet, maintain emotional stability, and wait for rescue.If the doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin and it is clearly an angina attack, sublingual administration can be taken according to the doctors advice (under the condition of not low blood pressure);If it is ineffective or worsening, seek help immediately.
Professor Zheng Yin emphasized that the distress signals emitted by the heart are diverse, and different people may exhibit different behaviors.Once the above abnormal signals occur, especially if they persist or are accompanied by other discomforts, do not take them lightly. You should promptly seek medical attention and examination at a regular hospital to protect our life engine.
Actively cooperate with treatment, regularly monitor blood pressure, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and stay away from the threat of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
Expert Introduction
Chief Physician Zheng Yin
Vice Dean and Professor
Masters supervisor and scholar studying in the United States
Hainan Province has outstanding contributions and outstanding experts
Medical expertise
Specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and health management of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as elderly diseases. Provides cardiac rehabilitation for patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, heart failure, metabolic syndrome, stent implantation, and bypass surgery, including guidance on medication, exercise, nutrition, and sleep disorders.
Manuscript | Huang Fei