Heart disease: Symptoms and treatment
On this page
- Symptoms of heart disease
- If you become ill
- Diagnosing heart disease
- Treating heart disease
- Managing heart conditions
Symptoms of heart disease
Common signs and symptoms for heart disease include:
- fainting
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
Specific heart conditions will have their own symptoms.
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If you become ill
You should consult a health care provider and ask to be tested for heart disease if you:
- experience chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting
- are worried about your heart disease risk
Diagnosing heart disease
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, your health care provider will look at any risk factors you may have. Risk factors determine a person's chance of dying from heart disease or surviving a heart attack within 10 years.
Based on your risk factors for heart disease, your health care provider will place you 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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Treating heart disease
If you have a heart-related illness and are diagnosed with a risk condition, your health care provider may prescribe medications for:
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- heart disease, such as angina
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
Take your medication as prescribed. Do not skip or increase a dose, or stop taking your medication without asking your health care provider first.
If you have damaged heart valves, you may need surgery to repair or replace them.
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Managing heart conditions
When managing any heart disease or blood circulation condition, follow healthy habits. This includes regular physical activity. The frequency, duration and type of physical activity you can do depends on:
- your age
- your environment
- your general health
- your personal interests
- the medications you are taking
- your daily schedule and lifestyle
- the severity of your heart disease or heart damage
- how healthy and active you were before your diagnosis
Your health care provider will work with you to determine how to be active within your limits. You will probably need to start slowly and increase your activity to a moderate level. You may wish to try the many forms of physical activity, such as:
- cycling
- jogging
- walking
- swimming
- strength training
Special rehabilitation programs exist to help people with heart problems better manage their heart condition and improve their health. The programs can help reduce risks and improve people’s quality of life. Most programs include:
- plans to reduce risk factors
- emotional and social support
- education about heart conditions
- a supervised physical activity program
- lifestyle education and nutrition advice
With time, you will be able to resume your day-to-day activities.
Learn more:
- Being physically active
- Risk factors for heart disease
- Heart diseases and conditions
- Improving your mental health
- Recovery and support (Heart and Stroke Foundation)