A heart attack is not just chest pain. One of the tell-tale signs concerns the ankles.
Heart attacks happen when the blood flow to the heart is suddenly blocked; this is usually due to the accumulation of cholesterol.
According to cardiologists, there are parallels between heart attack symptoms and cardiomyopathy. People are generally aware of common symptoms such as chest pains that radiate to the arm.
—But they are often unrelated to other symptoms that we would consider red flags and are common in patients diagnosed with cardiomyopathy,– noted in a study published in Express.
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle in which the heart stops working efficiently.
Symptoms cardiomyopathy:
- shortness of breath (especially during exercise or when lying down);
- pallor or cyanosis;
- edema;
- dizziness;
- general weakness;
- chest pain;
- palpitations;
- blue fingertips;
- loss of consciousness.
Signs of heart edema
Edema first forms on the legs, from the fingers and feet. Gradually, the swelling spreads higher, to the hips and lower abdomen, while the swelling zone also increases. Legs swell symmetrically.
How to reduce the risk of a heart attack
Changing your lifestyle is the most effective way to prevent a heart attack. One of the most important preventive measures is a healthy diet.
A poor diet high in fat will exacerbate hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and increase the risk of a heart attack. Fatty foods contain an unhealthy type of cholesterol called LDL.
It is preferable to follow a Mediterranean diet – this means that you need to eat more fruits, vegetables and fish, and less meat. Be sure to include high-quality cold-pressed vegetable oils in your diet. Salt and sugar should be reduced to a minimum.
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Important! The information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and under no circumstances self-medicate. At the first sign of illness, consult a doctor.