By Andrea Hargraves 
for every
Southern newsroom
| August 21 2022
Cardiovascular diseases occupy the first place in the international classification of mortality. (Photo: clone)
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and understanding the symptoms has important implications for treatment, quality of life, and longevity of sufferers. Although some signs, such as chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and facial paralysis are easily recognizable, the North American Heart Association (AHA) warns that many other manifestations can be associated. In addition, men and women often experience different sensations. In an article published in the journal Circulation, the Medical Association reviewed current research on the six most common cardiovascular diseases, so that patients and clinicians have a more accurate picture of these diseases.
“Some people may not consider symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, weight gain, and depression to be significant or related to cardiovascular disease,” Corin Jurgens, chair of the Scientific Statement Writing Committee at the American Heart Association, says in a note. “However, research indicates that such subtle symptoms can predict acute events and the need for hospitalization,” he explains. In the scientific review, clinical manifestations of heart attack, heart failure, valvular disease, stroke, arrhythmia, and peripheral arterial and venous disease were included.
In the article, doctors highlight how symptoms develop over time, which can span months or years depending on the condition. One of the group’s observations is that in addition to variance over the course of the disease, signs also vary by gender. This is true for the six DVCs described in the article.
For example, in the case of a heart attack, when blood flow to the heart is suddenly cut off, men often report strong pressure in the chest, with pain radiating into the jaw, shoulder, arm, or upper back. Women also experience these sensations, but for them, the pain is reported as more intense or intense. Females are also more likely to have a greater number of accompanying symptoms, such as nausea and heart palpitations.
Warning signs
Heart attack: chest pain (such as pressure or discomfort) that can spread to the jaw, shoulder, arm, or upper back. Shortness of breath, sweating, or a cold sweat. Unusual tiredness, nausea, and dizziness may also occur. Women are more likely than men to report more symptoms along with chest pain.
Heart failure: shortness of breath is the classic symptom. But there are early and more subtle signs that should be reported to the doctor, such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite; fatigue; Intolerance to physical exercise and insomnia. Pain (chest and others), mood disorders (mainly depression and anxiety), cognitive dysfunction (brain fog, memory problems). Women report a greater range of symptoms, are more likely to develop depression and anxiety, and report a lower quality of life than men.
Valvular heart disease: In mild cases, it can be asymptomatic for years and gradually develop symptoms similar to those associated with heart failure. Women with aortic stenosis, which occurs when the aortic valve narrows and restricts blood flow to the heart, often report shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, and physical weakness more often than men.
Stroke: facial paralysis and/or weakness, difficulty speaking, dizziness, loss of coordination or balance and visual changes. Women are more likely than men to have other, less common symptoms, such as headaches, altered mental status, coma, or stupor.
Arrhythmia: a sensation of an abnormal heartbeat or palpitations that may be irregular, fast, agitated, or choppy. Other symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Women and adults are more likely to have palpitations, while men are often asymptomatic.
Peripheral arterial disease: People with the disease may not have any symptoms or show the classic sign of claudication, which is pain in one or both calf muscles while walking. Pain in other parts of the legs, feet, and toes is the most common symptom, not calf pain.
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