Signs and symptoms of heart diseases and conditions

Learn the signs and symptoms of the most common heart diseases and blood circulation conditions.

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What are the signs and symptoms of heart diseases and conditions?

Heart disease is a sequence of events, which begins from numerous risk factors, such as:

  • obesity
  • diabetes
  • high blood pressure

If left untreated, it can progress to:

  • stroke
  • heart attack
  • coronary artery disease

Eventually, these conditions can lead to end-stage heart failure and/or death. End-stage heart failure means that both sides of the heart fail to pump enough blood to sustain your body.

Common signs and symptoms for heart disease include:

  • fainting
  • chest pain
  • shortness of breath

Should you be tested?

You should be tested if you:

  • experience chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting
  • are worried about your heart disease risk

How are heart diseases and conditions diagnosed?

A blood test will help your health care provider decide if you should be tested for a heart disease or condition. To understand the results, they will look at any risk factors you have.

Risk factors determine a person's chance of dying from heart disease or surviving a heart attack within 10 years. Risk factors include:

  • diabetes
  • a current heart disease
  • other medical conditions, such as:
    • high cholesterol
    • high blood pressure
  • lifestyle choices, such as your diet and how much you exercise

You will be placed into a risk category of:

  • low
  • medium
  • high

Your health care provider will then create a treatment plan for you. The plan will address lifestyle changes, medication or both.

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