Symptoms of a Weak Heart
Heart disease is the number one killer in the United States so it’s important to know about the symptoms of having a weak heart. Knowledge is power, so if you are aware of the signs of having a weak heart, you can begin to take action to strengthen it.
Some of the symptoms to look out for that indicate a weak heart include feeling lightheaded or dizzy, fatigue, fainting, inflammation in the legs, feet, and ankles, and shortness of breath.
We’ll go over the symptoms of a weak heart in more detail and what you can do to strengthen your heart and decrease your risk of heart disease.
How Do You Know if Your Heart is Weak?
When your heart is in a weakened condition, it may be considered heart failure, which refers to your heart’s inability to pump blood efficiently. You may be experiencing symptoms of a weak heart but not realize the connection since many of the symptoms are also related to other health conditions.
Some of the symptoms that may indicate a weak heart include:
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Faintness or fainting
- Swelling the legs, feet, and ankles
- Fatigue
- Rapid heartbeat
- Coughing or wheezing
- Abdominal swelling
- Chest pain
Any one of these symptoms can be related to other health conditions and some may even be harmless or normal, such as lightheadedness or fatigue after extreme physical exertion. However, if you’re experiencing multiple symptoms without a benign reason, your body may be telling you that your heart is not in tiptop shape.
What Can Cause a Weak Heart?
A weak heart can be caused by various factors, including lifestyle choices and heart conditions.
Some of the possible causes for a weak heart include:
- Hypertension
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital heart defects
- Heart arrhythmias
- Diabetes
- Heart attack
- Medications
- Viral infection
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- Obesity
If you have a health condition that may be contributing to a weakened heart, it’s in your best interest to make lifestyle changes where you can decrease the risk of further complications. If you haven’t yet had any of the above health conditions, it’s possible you can prevent them by addressing any of the risk factors that may apply to you.
When Should You See a Doctor for a Weak Heart?
If you have reason to believe you may have a weak heart or heart failure, you should make an appointment with your doctor for an exam. They can determine if any underlying conditions need to be addressed to help protect your heart health. If it turns out you have a health condition that’s contributing to heart failure, you’ll receive the appropriate treatment and may receive recommendations about lifestyle changes that would further benefit your heart.
There are some symptoms that would warrant emergency treatment, so it’s recommended you visit your nearest hospital or urgent care center if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- If you’ve fainted or you’re feeling extremely weak
- Shortness of breath paired with a rapid heartbeat or chest pain
- If you have severe chest pain
- If you’re coughing up foamy pink mucus
When in doubt about the severity of your symptoms, call a medical professional immediately for advice. Some of the above symptoms may indicate a serious heart or lung condition that may require emergency treatment.
How Can You Strengthen a Weak Heart?
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure a weak heart but there are plenty of ways to strengthen your heart. Implementing some of the following recommendations can help protect a weakened heart and decrease your risk of health conditions or complications.
Exercise
Is one of the best ways to strengthen your heart. Since your heart is a muscle just like any other in your body, it makes sense that exercise would help to strengthen it. Of course, the most beneficial exercise is an activity that is at an appropriate intensity for you. Overexertion can be harmful to a weakened heart so you may want to ask your doctor to recommend a safe pace for you to exercise.
Eating a heart-healthy diet
To support your heart health. Many people don’t eat the recommended amount of fiber daily, which is 21-38 grams. Most of us are only consuming 16 grams a day. If you have a weak heart, it’s even more important to meet your daily fiber intake. Those who eat a diet high in fiber decrease their risk of coronary heart disease by 40 percent. To strengthen your heart, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts.
Maintain a healthy weight
To give your heart a break. Being overweight or obese can put you at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. It has been found that 21 percent of chronic heart disease may be correlated with a body mass index (BMI) over 21. Getting your weight into a healthy range is an important heart-protective measure.
Avoid overeating
This can create additional stress on the heart while also making it harder to manage your weight.
Work on your stress management skills
To improve the resilience of a weak heart. Stress can raise your heart rate and blood pressure, as well as your adrenaline and cortisol levels. None of this is good for your heart, especially when it’s already in a weakened state. Find ways to decrease your stress where you can and work on improving your stress coping skills to decrease the negative impact it can have on you.
Quit smoking.
This one is a biggie! A year after you quit smoking, your risk of heart disease can be half that of a current smoker. Trying to nix the cigarettes can be challenging but remember that there are support systems out there to help you get through it. Talk to your doctor about some options to help you quit smoking.
Eat dark chocolate!
To end on a positive note, enjoy some high-quality dark chocolate in moderation. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants that are beneficial for healthy cholesterol levels and can help reduce the risk of blood clots. Go for chocolate that has at least 70% cocoa content and aim for no more than 1 oz per day.
Summary
Now you know how being vigilant about getting your heart checked out can be beneficial for your physical and mental wellbeing. You also know some of the signals your body may be sending out to tell you that your heart may be weak. Implementing some of the recommendations into your daily regimen can help strengthen your heart and reduce the risk of complications.
While a healthy diet and lifestyle are extremely helpful for a strong cardiovascular system, it’s important to seek out professional care if you have a history of heart disease or experience any symptoms related to heart disease. If you’re experiencing symptoms of poor cardiovascular health that don’t respond to diet and lifestyle changes, contact us today to book an appointment.
