According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), heart disease is the leading cause of death for men. So, taking care of your heart and watching for early signs of heart disease is essential.
Heart disease symptoms include chest pain, stomach issues, pain in the arm, and lightheadedness.
Read on to learn about more symptoms of heart disease in men and how you can work to improve your heart health.
What is Heart Disease?
Heart disease, or cardiovascular disease, is a blanket term to refer to problems with your circulatory system. The following types of heart conditions in the heart disease umbrella include:
- Coronary artery disease (a waxy build-up in the blood vessels that restricts flow to the heart, leading to a high risk of heart attacks and stroke.)
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)
- Congenital heart defects (heart problems people are born with that affect the functioning of the heart)
- Heart valve disease (abnormalities of the heart's four valves that can block blood flow or cause leaks)
- Heart failure (when the heart can no longer work correctly)
Strokes are another type of cardiovascular disease that many people suffer from each year. If you have sudden numbness in the face, arms, or legs, feel confused, have trouble speaking, have difficulty seeing, feel dizzy or lose your balance, or have an unknown severe headache, seek medical help. These are symptoms of a stroke.
One person dies every 33 seconds in the United States from cardiovascular disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Billions of dollars are spent each year on costs associated with heart disease.
So, it is vital to understand the signs and symptoms of heart disease to identify heart disease earlier, especially if your family has a history of heart issues.
Symptoms of Heart Disease in Men
Many of the symptoms of heart disease are similar between the different conditions. However, some are unique to the specific heart condition. Below is an overview of some early signs that you may be developing heart disease. If you are experiencing any or a combination of the following symptoms, consult your medical provider.
Your healthcare provider can perform testing and refer you to a cardiologist for treatment as needed. The earlier you identify and treat heart disease, the better your outcomes.
Chest Pain
Discomfort or pain in the chest is one of the most telling signs of heart disease. This pain can range in severity from a crushing feeling to only mild twinges. Some people may feel heaviness or squeezing in their chest. The pain could also be sharp and burning.
Chest discomfort may occur along the front of your body, between your neck and abdomen. It can be localized under your sternum (breastbone) or radiate into your neck, arms, stomach, jaw, or upper back.
Angina is a common symptom of heart disease. It occurs when there is poor blood flow to the heart. It can be a sign of a heart attack, mainly if it occurs during a period of rest. Pain may last longer than 5 minutes and worsen over time. Medication and rest may improve symptoms, but if you are experiencing angina, you should seek emergency medical help.
Shortness of Breath
Another early warning sign of heart disease in males is when you notice shortness of breath while resting, lying flat on your back, and during activity. If climbing stairs is usually no problem, but you suddenly get winded doing it, this is a significant change that may be a sign that something is up with your heart.
Shortness of breath feels like you can't get enough air into your lungs, and you may have difficulty catching your breath. This breathlessness can be caused by your heart not pumping enough blood throughout your body, which contains oxygen that you need to function.
Angina, heart attacks, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation can cause shortness of breath. However, it is essential to note that asthma, anxiety, lung issues, cancer, and several other conditions can cause shortness of breath.
If you are frequently experiencing shortness of breath doing activities you used to do easily, talk to your doctor to find out if this issue is related to heart disease or another condition.
Stomach Issues
Sometimes, people who have heart disease begin feeling symptoms of nausea, indigestion, heartburn, or stomach pain. They may even vomit before as a symptom of a heart attack.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, right-sided heart failure, in particular, may cause appetite loss, nausea, stomach pain, swelling of the ankles, feet, legs, abdomen, and veins, frequent urination, and weight gain.
Several other issues can cause stomach issues, so it is important to have a professional evaluate you if you are experiencing stomach issues frequently or in conjunction with other heart disease symptoms.
Irregular Heart Beat
It's normal for your heart to race when you are nervous or excited, but if you are feeling irregular heartbeats, dizziness, chest pain, or palpitations, you should get tested for heart disease. If these symptoms are severe, you may need to seek emergency care.
Atrial fibrillation, or AFIB, is when you have an irregular or quivery heartbeat. It is also called an arrhythmia. When you are in AFIB, your heart is not beating normally. Typically, the top part of the heart, your atria, squeezes first. Then, the bottom part, called the ventricle, squeezes. In AFib, the electrical signals misfire and cause the atria to squeeze independently instead of together.
If you have atrial fibrillation, you are at a higher risk of complications like stroke, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, memory loss, and high blood pressure. You can also experience extreme fatigue due to irregular heartbeat.
Many times, AFib goes away on its own, but some people need to take medications or get a pacemaker to control the irregular heartbeat.
Erectile Dysfunction
Another symptom that may point to an issue with your cardiovascular system is erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction can be a warning sign that blood isn't flowing as it should. Scientists believe that a dysfunction in the inner lining of the blood vessels and smooth muscle causes inadequate blood supply to the heart and penis.
Men who have erectile dysfunction paired with other symptoms of heart issues should get screened for heart disease.
Not all erectile dysfunction is due to cardiovascular disease. Stress, depression, anxiety, hormone imbalances, and neurological disorders can all cause ED. However, there are effective treatment options to correct this issue.
If you have erectile dysfunction, you can bypass the inconvenience of in-person healthcare and get your ED medication prescribed online. Male Excel offers gold-standard, FDA-approved, generic ED treatments. These prescriptions are just as effective as the name brand but come without the name brand price.
Visit our website and complete a medical history form. A US-licensed provider will set a dosage, and you'll receive your ED medication discreetly in the mail.
Who Is At Risk of Developing Heart Disease?
Heart disease is a prevalent disease that affects people of all genders, races, and ages. Age, lifestyle habits, and family history are some risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease.
Older adults have a greater risk of damaged arteries and weakened heart muscle. Men also typically have a higher risk of developing heart problems. If you have a family history of heart disease, you also have a higher risk of developing the disease. Smoking, poor diet, and stress are other factors that raise your risk of heart disease.
Diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure (hypertension), erectile dysfunction, and high cholesterol also weaken your blood vessels and heart, leading to a higher incidence of heart disease.
Be sure to let your medical provider know if you have any symptoms and are at a higher risk of developing heart disease.
How Can You Prevent Heart Disease?
You can make several wellness and lifestyle choices to reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Tobacco use is associated with a risk of developing erectile dysfunction and vascular disease, so quitting smoking is a significant first step to improving your heart health.
Excessive alcohol consumption can also contribute to heart disease, so it is best to limit how much you drink.
If you are obese, losing weight can also help prevent heart disease. You can work on achieving a healthier weight by eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and lean proteins. Limit the number of refined carbohydrates, processed foods, and meats you consume.
According to the American Heart Association, you should also exercise at least 150 minutes at a moderate intensity each week, which can be broken down into only 30 minutes of exercise per day.
If you know that you are at a higher risk of developing heart disease, you should be sure to talk with your healthcare provider. Always attend your checkups to ensure you stay on top of any issues.
Can You Take Aspirin to Prevent Heart Disease?
Men who take medications such as aspirin as a preventative or who have prescribed cholesterol, blood sugar, or blood pressure medicines should take their medication as directed. Taking your medications on time and as directed will help to prevent complications from any current issues.
However, do not take aspirin as a preventative for heart disease without your doctor's direction. Although a low dose of aspirin may prevent heart attack and clot-related strokes, it may increase your risk of a burst blood vessel stroke and gastrointestinal bleeding. You should not take aspirin if you experience allergic reactions.
Certain drugs, such as blood thinners, may interact with a daily dose of aspirin. Additionally, if you frequently take ibuprofen or naproxen sodium, taking a low dose of aspirin at the same time may lead to stomach ulcers.
If you experience heart attack symptoms, taking an aspirin may help. Yet, it will not stop a heart attack. So, do not delay calling 911 for emergency help.
Heart Disease Tests
If you exhibit common signs of heart disease, your doctor may refer you to the cardiology department. A cardiologist will perform a series of tests to determine whether or not you have heart disease and what type it is.
You will likely complete a stress test, which measures how a person's heart responds to moderate physical activity. During this test, you will walk or run on a treadmill while hooked up to several monitors. The monitors will gauge how your heart and blood vessels are working.
You may also need an MRI scan to determine if you have any blockages. If you have a blockage, a cardiologist will perform a cardiac catheterization. This procedure involves inserting a long tube with dye into the heart's blood vessels to determine the location of the blockage.
Additional X-rays may also be taken of the heart to determine any heart muscle or artery issues. These X-rays will give your cardiologist a good idea of what your heart and arteries look like and discover any abnormalities.
Once you have undergone all this testing, your cardiologist can prescribe a treatment plan based on your condition and its severity. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medications, or surgery.
Conclusion
Heart disease is a serious issue that leads to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people each year. If you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, stomach issues, irregular heartbeat, and erectile dysfunction, see a medical professional to evaluate you for heart disease. Noticing these early warning signs could save your life.
Then, it's time for some healthy lifestyle changes. A balanced diet and exercise will go a long way in preventing you from developing heart disease and living a longer, healthier life.
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