Healthy Living Tips from
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | December 2020
HEALTHY TIP : When to See a Doctor
It ’ s not always obvious when you have a serious condition , such as heart disease – just as high blood pressure usually has no symptoms -- and many people don ' t know they have it . Many other symptoms of heart disease can be similar to those of other conditions -- or you may chalk them up to a busy lifestyle or a stressful job .
Did you know … if you have high untreated blood pressure , your heart has to work harder than normal to meet your body ' s demands ? Over time , this puts you at increased risk of heart attack , stroke , heart failure and even kidney disease .
With health risks in mind , here are 5 things that should send you to your doctor or cardiologist :
You ’ re tired . Many of us are tired thanks to overloaded lives , but if you feel sluggish even when you ’ ve had enough rest , your heart may be to blame . If you wake up tired and your partner says you snore , you may have sleep apnea , which – if left untreated – increases your chance of high blood pressure , heart damage , abnormal heart rhythms , heart failure and stroke .
You ’ re short of breath . If activities you used to do without a problem cause you to be short of breath , don ’ t ignore it . Don ’ t just assume you ’ re out of shape or are tired -- being short of breath can be a symptom of heart failure . Sudden-onset breathlessness can also be related to a heart attack , so if you can ’ t catch your breath and have accompanying chest pain , call 911 !
You ’ re dizzy . It ’ s not uncommon to have a quick bout of dizziness when you stand up from a seated position too quickly or don ’ t eat or drink enough . But feeling dizzy can be related to your blood pressure , or an abnormal heart rhythm . It can also be a symptom of a heart attack – don ’ t ignore it .
Your legs or ankles are swollen . If your heart isn ’ t pumping effectively , it can lead to poor circulation in your extremities , especially your legs . Swollen feet or ankles can be a symptom of heart failure , and pain in your lower leg can indicate a dangerous blood clot .
You have pain in your upper body . Not all heart attacks are accompanied by sudden and severe chest pain ; instead , you may notice discomfort in your arm , jaw or back , especially if you ’ re a woman . So if you have pain you can ’ t attribute to another cause -- or also have symptoms such as fatigue , dizziness or sweating -- get medical help !
For more information visit www . Demand Deborah . org or call 855-646-3484 .
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