Every five minutes someone in the UK is hospitalised with a heart attack – but less than half of Brits know about a major warning sign that one is about to strike.
Chest pains and and being short of breathe are well-known red flags, but it’s vital to watch out for lesser-known symptoms like a change in eye colour and swollen legs, GP Dr Bhavini Shah has warned.
One particularly bizarre sign is a phenomenon known as digital clubbing, which describes the thickening and widening of the fingernails.
It happens because oxygenated blood is not reaching the fingers, triggering the over-production of a substance that accelerates the growth of nail tissue.
Also relatively unknown is a grey ring around the outside of the iris, the coloured part of the eye.
About 45 per cent of people over the age of 40 have this fatty halo around their iris, rising to about 70 per cent of people over the age of 60, research shows.
And its presence has been linked to coronary heart disease – as it may indicate that levels of cholesterol – the fatty substance that blocks blood vessels – are too high.
Dr Shah, who is a medic with LloydsPharmacy, warned Brits to watch out for leg swelling, medically known as oedema.
Dr Bhavini Shah, a GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, warned there are several red flags of heart disease that many people are unaware of. He warned Chest pain that feels like pressure, tightness, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest could be a symptom of a heart attack, and it’s essential to dial 999
It occurs when fluid builds up in the tissue – a result of a heart that is too weak to pump blood effectively around the body, leading to a build-up in the veins and tissues of the legs and feet.
But less than half (46 per cent) of Brits are aware that this is a symptom of heart disease, a Lloyds Pharmacy survey of 500 Brits revealed.
Around 2million people in the UK are diagnosed with some form of heart disease, according to Government figures.
But charities estimate that a further six million have undiagnosed high blood pressure – one of the leading risk factors for stroke and heart attack.
Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels.
It’s often caused by fatty deposits in the arteries that can make it harder for blood and oxygen to flow properly through the vessels and to and from the heart.
This increases the risk of a blockage, and therefore stroke or heart attack.
While some warning signs (pictured) are easy to spot — such as severe chest pain — others are more vague and hard to pinpoint
Less than half (46 per cent) were aware that leg swelling, medically known as oedema is a symptom of heart disease
Chest pain that feels like pressure, tightness, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest could be a symptom of a heart attack, and it’s essential to dial 999, Dr Shah stressed.
It’s the most recognised symptom with 80 per cent of people polled identifying it as a major warning sign.
Shortness of breath is another, which 77 per cent of people know about.
Dr Shah explained that if the heart isn’t pumping enough blood throughout the body, fluid may build up in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.
Irregular heart rhythms can also be an indication of heart disease, which 70 per cent of people were aware of.
Although this might not be directly linked to a serious condition, it’s important to get this checked to understand any underlying issues.
Extreme fatigue that makes day-to-day activities or mild exercise exhausting is another red flag.
But just over half (66 per cent) of people surveyed knew to watch out for this.
More than 7.6 million people in the UK are living with heart or circulatory diseases, according to the British Heart Foundation
Dr Shah stressed that there are lifestyle factors that we should all be considering to prevent the disease – and one is cutting down on fatty foods.
‘Reducing fat intake is an effective way to not only lower your risk of coronary heart disease but also help reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels,’ he said.
According to the NHS, a high-fibre, low-fat diet is recommended and should include at least five servings of fruit and vegetables, as well as whole grains (oats, rye and brown rice).
The NHS also advises limiting salt intake to no more than 6g per day and avoiding saturated fats, as they can increase cholesterol levels.
Staying active can reduce your risk of heart disease by up to 35 per cent, according to the British Heart Foundation.
Dr Shah said it regulate your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol, whether walking, cycling, swimming or attending a fitness class.
Quitting smoking can also cut the risk of the disease.
That’s because smoking damages the lining of the arteries, including the coronary arteries.
In addition, a chemical called acrolein interferes with the body’s ability to process cholesterol, leading to higher levels in the bloodstream, Dr Shah warned.
Drinking alcohol is also a risk factor of heart disease and Dr Shah said regularly going over the 14 units a week limit over 10 years can increase your risk of developing heart disease or stroke.
