5 Silent Heart Symptoms You Should Know

You may know the well-publicized signs of heart attack. But are other forms of heart disease creeping up on you or a loved one?

"When we think about heart disease, most people jump right to heart attack -- waking up clutching the chest with chest pains. But that's only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to heart disease," says cardiologist Lawrence Phillips, MD, assistant professor in the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York.

It's a myth that all symptoms of heart disease are obvious. The following stealthy symptoms might seem far from your heart, but they way warrant a trip to your doctor.

1. New Aches and Pains

You've probably said to yourself, "I used to be able to....(fill in the blank), but now I have to stop because I get (fill in the blank)." Though this sounds benign, this could be your body's way of telling you something.

A change in function from what's normal for you is one of the key symptoms of heart trouble. Look at it this way: Your heart is your body's engine, pumping blood to fuel all your movements. If you notice a different reaction to an everyday activity, consider it like a warning light on your car dashboard, but in this case a sign of something potentially amiss with your heart's valves or electrical system.

Next steps: Don't dismiss a change in your response to physical exertion by saying, "Oh, I'm getting old" or "I must be out of shape." Find out for sure what the cause is. Especially if you see a pattern, get a physical exam. "There has to be a reason for the change," says Dr. Phillips.

2. Erectile Dysfunction

Trouble getting an erection is often blamed on age or disinterest. Often, however, the problem is an issue of adequate blood flow. Men who have this symptom are far more likely to have another kind of artery problem concerning the heart.

In 2013 a study done in Australian tracked more than 90,000 men. The study found that the worse the erectile dysfunction, the more heart disease and risk of early death a man had. Even those with mild or moderate erection problems were found to be at greater risk of heart attack or early death. Other studies have echoed this: Men with erectile dysfunction are twice as likely to also have cardiovascular disease or to die of a heart attack, according to a study of more than 1,500 men published in the journal Circulation in 2010.

"Arteries are arteries -- problems with blood vessels can affect blood flow to the heart as well as the penis," says cardiologist Lawrence Phillips.

Next steps: Don't be shy about getting erectile problems checked out by your doctor. Viagra treats the symptom but doesn't resolve the underlying issue. (Women: Unfortunately there is less research on sexual response and heart health.)

3. Holiday-Heart Syndrome 

Many people notice a sudden jump in heart rate during exercise, which is normal. However, have you ever had that feeling of a fluttery heart following a bout of drinking? So-called "holiday heart syndrome" -- overdrinking, overeating, and getting too little sleep -- can lead to atrial fibrillation or an irregular heart beat. 

"You might feel it that same evening, or within the next 12 hours," Langone Medical Center's Lawrence Phillips says. Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that can cause fluttering in the chest and dizziness that lasts more than a few seconds.

Next steps: If you notice this happening repeatedly, mention it to your doctor. Try to find a pattern of when the symptoms start and report that to your doctor as well. 

4. Swelling Feet and Ankles 

Notice puffy ankles and feet after a long day at the office? Do your shoes seem tighter than they were earlier in the day? The accumulating fluid is an excess that is being pushed out from your vessels and into the skin.

While the swelling can be a temporary problem caused by things like hormonal changes (including pregnancy), a salty diet, or medications, it may also reflect faulty pumping action of the heart. When blood can't be pushed forward, it tends to back up into the veins. Gravity then brings it to the legs.

Next steps: Keep an eye out. If swelling is a change for you and you aren't sure why, get it checked by your doctor. People with diabetes should take special caution; since diabetics are at increased risk for heart disease.

5. Dizziness

While feeling dizzy can happen for many reasons, heart disease is actually close to the top of the list. An irregular heart beat or more advanced valve disease may be the cause. The valves of the heart need to open and close to move blood, however when calcium deposits narrow the aortic valve it can't open more than a crack. This lack of sufficient blood to the brain can lead to feeling light-headed.

Some people feel especially feel dizzy when they stand up (a rapid drop in blood pressure called "orthostatic hypotension"). People with orthostatic hypotension are more likely to develop heart disease, according to research in the journal Hypertension in 2012.

Next steps: Pay close attention to whether you're also having these other symptoms along with your dizziness. Things like shortness of breath, feeling faint with physical exertion, passing out, or having chest pain. Although a one time bout may not be any cause for worry, an ongoing pattern is worth a visit to the doctor. 

The good, the bad, and the borderline: What do your cholesterol levels say about you?

"Know your cholesterol levels". "This product is cholesterol free". "Top 5 foods that lower your cholesterol".

We see products and ads everywhere advertising and soliciting for low cholesterol. Sure, we know it's bad. But did you know that your body actually uses cholesterol? Actually, your body doesn't just use cholesterol, it actually needs cholesterol.

Lets dive into what exactly cholesterol is and what your body does with it. The behind the scenes of LDL and HDL cholesterol, and what those stand for. And how low can your cholesterol go, to be considered healthy.

The Many Roles of Cholesterol

Cholesterol is sent to your liver after absorbing it from carbohydrates, protein, and fat that you eat. The body then translates the cholesterol into two forms: high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). With these, your body puts them to work to aid in a number of functions. Here are a handful:

1. Produce sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone in woman, and testosterone in men. These particular hormones play a key role in reproduction and physical features.

2. Create the steroid hormone cortisol, which helps regulate blood sugar and defending against infection.

3. Develop the hormone aldosterone, which helps your body regulate salt and water.

4. Absorb vitamin D, which in tandem with Calcium, is responsible for strong teeth and bones.

5. Make bile, the substance released by the gallbladder that helps your intestines digest food.

Is Cholesterol your Friend?

More like a "Fr-enemy" (Friend-Enemy)

All this talk about all that cholesterol does made me wonder: Is cholesterol a good thing? The answer: Yes and no. Hence, I've come to the conclusion that cholesterol is my "fr-enemy". 

When you have high cholesterol, you may develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels called "plaques". Eventually, these deposits make it difficult for blood to flow through your vessels. As this plaque builds within your vessels and blood flow becomes more and more restricted, your heart may not get as much oxygen-rich blood as it needs. This may lead to varicose veins, which is your body's way of creating other paths for blood to flow. Even worse, as these plaques increase grow, it increases your likelihood of having one completed block blood flow by either growing so large in the same place or by breaking off and having a plaque piece travel to a more narrow vessel. This will usually lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Cholesterol Overview

The Good vs The Bad

HDL vs LDL

HDL cholesterol is the well-behaved, or the "good cholesterol." HDL acts as a hunter, cruising the bloodstream to remove harmful bad cholesterol from where it doesn't belong. As a result, high HDL levels reduce your risk for heart disease -- but low levels can actually increase your risk.

LDL cholesterol is the hunted. LDL is what collects in the walls of blood vessels, causing the build up of plaque. Higher LDL levels put you at greater risk for a heart attack from a sudden blood clot in an artery.

Down to the Numbers

The good, the bad, and the borderline

"Good" within this case means you are at healthy level, and therefore at a low risk of heart disease. "Borderline" means you have some work to do, and your heart disease risk is increased. "Bad" indicates that you have a high risk of not only heart disease, but also stroke or heart attack.

Total cholesterol levels act as a quick glance at how your cholesterol is. The numbers are as followed:
Good: <200
Borderline:200-239
Bad: >240

HDL is good cholesterol, however there is still a suggested range. They are:
Low: <39
Normal: 40-59
High: >60

LDL is bad cholesterol, so these levels must be watched closely:
Good: <99
Borderline: 100-189
Bad: >190

Notes: I have intentionally left out the units for these values. If you are curious, it is mg/dL.

Here is an example of cholesterol levels that could use a little help. 

The 2 Best Ways to Stay in the Good

In the good cholesterol range, that is

1. Eat good fat
You've heard the saying, "You are what you eat". Well, your cholesterol level heavily reflects your eating habits, so choose foods that will keep your cholesterol good. This includes lots of fruits and vegetables, and watching the intake of fat, carbohydrates, and . Foods that are rich in monounsaturated fat are good for you and will increase your HDL cholesterol. This includes olive and canola oil, avocados, fish and peanut butter, to name a few.

2. Get fit.
Exercise also lowers LDL and increase HDL cholesterol. Choose the stairs or park your car at the back of the lot. These little things add up.

Heart Disease: Are you at risk?

The #1 killer in America: Heart Disease

Heart disease includes numerous problems related to the heart and surrounding vessels. Many of the problems relate directly to a process called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when a substance ("plaque") builds up in the walls of the arteries. This buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow through. If a blood clot forms, it can stop the blood flow all together. This can cause a heart attack or stroke. This video explains heard disease in more detail:

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), heart disease is the leading cause of death of men and women in America. What's worse is, many cases are preventable.

Find out your risk what you can do to reduce your risk, starting today.

Symptoms

Heart disease symptoms vary, depending on what type of heart disease you have.

In the majority of cases, the disease has affected vessels surrounding the heart. Symptoms include:

- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath (not during activity or after minimal activity)
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet

Other cases of heart disease may be due to an irregular heart beat, known as an arrhythmia. Your heart may beat too quickly, too slowly or irregularly if you have an arrhythmia. Heart disease related to an arrhythmia can include:

- A fluttering feeling in your chest
- A pounding feeling in your chest or quickened heart beat
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting or near fainting spell

Heart disease can also be caused by a thickening and stiffening of the heart muscles themselves. This is referred to as cardiomyopathy. In early stages of cardiomyopathy, you may have no symptoms. Your doctor however can detect early stages of cardiomyopathy with a simple outpatient exam called a "Myocardiogram". As the condition worsens, cardiomyopathy symptoms include:

- Shortness of breath (not during activity or after minimal activity)
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and/or feet.
- Bloating or swelling of the abdomen
- General fatigue or easily tired
- Dizziness or lightheadedness

Lastly, heart disease can be caused by an infection. It may be either pericarditis, which affects the tissue surrounding the heart; Myocarditis, which affects the muscular middle layer within the heart; or endocarditis, which affects the valves of the heart. Varying slightly with each type of infection, heart infection symptoms can include:

- Fever
- Shortness of breath (not during activity or after minimal activity)
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, and/or feet.
- Bloating or swelling of the abdomen
- Persistent dry cough
- Skin rash or unusual spots
- General fatigue or easily tired

You might not be diagnosed with heart disease until your condition worsens to the point that you have a heart attack, stroke or chest pain. It's important to watch for these symptoms and discuss any concerns with your doctor. Heart disease can sometimes be found early with regular visits to your doctor, along with avoiding risk factors and participating in heart healthy activities.

Risk Factors

Your age: Simply getting older increases your risk of damaged and narrowed arteries and weakened or thickened heart muscle, which contribute to heart disease.

Your gender: Men are generally at greater risk of heart disease. The risk for a woman increases after menopause, especially those on hormone therapy.

Family history: A family history of heart disease increases your risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a parent developed it at an early age (before age 55 for a male relative, such as your brother or father, and 65 for a female relative, such as your mother or sister).

Smoking: Nicotine constricts your blood vessels, and carbon monoxide can damage their inner lining, making them more susceptible to atherosclerosis.

Poor diet choices: A diet that's high in fat, salt and cholesterol can contribute to the development of heart disease.

High blood pressure: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in hardening and thickening of your arteries, narrowing the vessels through which blood flows. This puts more stress on the heart to pump through narrowed vessels.

High blood cholesterol levels: High levels of cholesterol in your blood can increase the risk of formation of plaques and atherosclerosis. Plaques can be caused by a high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, known as "bad" cholesterol, or a low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as "good" cholesterol.

Diabetes: High blood sugar levels harms the lining within the vessels, leaving them more susceptible to collecting plaque. Among other reasons, diabetes or uncontrolled elevated blood sugar levels highly increases your risk of heart disease.

Obesity: Excess weight typically worsens other risk factors and increases the work load on the heart.

Physical inactivity: Lack of exercise also is associated with many forms of heart disease and some of its other risk factors, as well.

High stress: Unrelieved stress in your life may damage your arteries as well as worsen other risk factors for heart disease.

Poor hygiene: Not regularly washing your hands and failure to establish other habits that can help prevent viral or bacterial infections can put you at risk of heart infections, especially if you already have an underlying heart condition. This also include dental health.

Click here to find out your risk

Reduce Your Risk--Today!

In 5 Easy Steps

1. Don't smoke or use tobacco
Smoking or using tobacco is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease. Smokeless tobacco and low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes also are risky, as is exposure to secondhand smoke.

The bad news: The nicotine in cigarette smoke makes your heart work harder by narrowing your blood vessels and increasing your heart rate and blood pressure.

The good news: When you quit smoking, your risk of heart disease drops dramatically within just one year. And no matter how long or how much you smoked, you'll start reaping rewards as soon as you quit.

2. Eat a heart-healthy diet
Eating a special diet called the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan can help protect your heart. Following the DASH diet means eating foods that are low in fat, cholesterol and salt.

The bad news: Change is hard. This means less/no deep friend foods, bakery goods, or adding salt to food before tasting it.

The good news: It will help you in the long run. This means more fruits, vegetables, and fish. In addition, eating more fruits and vegetables can not only help prevent heart disease, but also may help prevent cancer.

3. Maintain a healthy weight
As you put on weight in adulthood, your weight gain is mostly fat rather than muscle. This excess weight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of heart disease - high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. One way to see if your weight is healthy is to calculate your body mass index (BMI), which considers your height and weight in determining whether you have a healthy or unhealthy percentage of body fat. BMI numbers 25 and higher are associated with higher blood fats, higher blood pressure, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

The bad news: The BMI is a good indicator, but not perfect. Muscle weighs more than fat, for instance, and women and men who are very muscular and physically fit can have high BMIs without added health risks. Because of that, waist circumference also is a useful tool to measure how much abdominal fat you have:
Men are considered overweight if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches (101.6 centimeters, or cm)
Women are overweight if their waist measurement is greater than 35 inches (88.9 cm)

The good news: Even a small weight loss can be beneficial. Reducing your weight by just 10 percent can decrease your blood pressure, lower your blood cholesterol level and reduce your risk of diabetes.

4. Get regular health screenings
High blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels. But without testing for them, you probably won't know whether you have these conditions. Regular screening can tell you what your numbers are and whether you need to take action.

The bad news: High blood pressure is known as a "silent killer", meaning you won't know you have it till it's too late.

The good news: Both blood pressure and cholesterol levels are easily measured by your doctor. A short visit to the office or even some health screening fairs or clinics can tell you your numbers.

5. Exercise
Getting some regular, daily exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease. And when you combine physical activity with other lifestyle measures, such as maintaining a healthy weight, the payoff is even greater.

The bad news: It must be regular physical activity to make the most impact.

The good news: All it takes is 30 to 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity most days of the week. However, even shorter amounts of exercise offer heart benefits, so if you can't meet those guidelines, don't give up. You can even break up your workout time into 10-minute sessions. Remember that activities such as gardening, housekeeping, taking the stairs and walking the dog all count toward your total.