Jaw or back pain may indicate heart condition that should not be ignored

What symptoms should alert you

Cardiologist Sonia Babu-Narayan said that the combination of sedentary work, poor diet, high stress levels, and insufficient sleep are common causes of heart problems.

A report by the British Heart Foundation shows that 1 in 5 adults under the age of 40 has undiagnosed hypertension (high blood pressure), which is the main precursor to heart disease. In addition, more than 40% of adults in this age group are sedentary.

Symptoms of heart disease are easy to overlook because they often resemble everyday illnesses. Here's what to look for:

• Sudden and frequent fatigue - A persistent feeling of fatigue even after a good night's sleep may indicate that the heart is trying to pump blood efficiently
• Dyspnea - If simple activities like climbing stairs lead to shortness of breath, this may indicate an underlying heart problem
• Persistent indigestion or heartburn - Chronic discomfort in the upper abdomen can be a warning sign of heart problems
• Pain in the jaw or back - these unexpected places of discomfort may indicate limited blood flow to the heart
• Irregular heartbeat - skipping heartbeats or palpitations, especially in the absence of exercise or stress, require medical attention

Failure to recognize and address these symptoms in time can lead to dire consequences, including heart attacks, strokes, or chronic heart failure.

What to do

Practical steps to help protect your heart:

• regular medical check-ups - visit your GP for regular check-ups, including blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar
• eat a heart-healthy diet - include whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables, while reducing processed foods and added sugars
• activity - aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Even activities such as brisk walking or cycling can significantly benefit your heart
• avoid stress - practice mindfulness, yoga, or other relaxation techniques to keep your stress levels under control
• sleep - adults should strive for 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night to maintain overall health

Earlier, we reported on 8 exercises that are good for the heart and blood vessels.

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.