If you have these three concerning symptoms, it’s time to get to the heart of the problem.
Dr. Jeremy London, a heart surgeon based in Savannah, Georgia, warns that struggling to breathe while walking or laying down and/or experiencing leg swelling may mean you have a weak heart.
“These should be red flags,” London said Tuesday on TikTok.
Shortness of breath when walking
Shortness of breath — when you struggle to get enough oxygen, making you breathe harder, faster or deeper than usual — typically stems from heart or lung conditions, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The symptom may begin suddenly or last longer. Common causes include a heart attack, an irregular heartbeat or heart failure.
The NJ Cardiovascular Institute urges seeking medical help if shortness of breath is accompanied by swelling of the ankles and feet, breathing troubles when laying flat, chills, cough, high fever or wheezing.
Breathing troubles when laying down
Orthopnea is the medical term for shortness of breath while laying down — sitting or standing up often helps.
If your heart is weak, it will struggle to pump out the extra blood that naturally redistributes from your legs to your lungs when laying flat.
Propping yourself up with pillows to sleep may temporarily relieve symptoms, but you should visit a healthcare provider if you suffer from orthopnea, especially if you also have chest pain or tightness, heart palpitations, wheezing or coughing.
Orthopnea is often a sign of heart failure.
Swollen legs
Fluid buildup in the tissues causes swelling, called edema. Blood backing up in the veins of your legs may indicate that your heart is not functioning as well as it should.
It is often the first noticeable sign of heart failure.
Experts suggest seeking medical care if the swelling starts suddenly and for no clear reason and if it’s accompanied by chest pain, breathing troubles, fainting, dizziness or a cough that produces blood.
London said at the doctor’s office, you’ll give your medical history and undergo a physical exam that may include an echocardiogram.
“An ultrasound probe that’s placed on the chest … typically can measure ejection fraction, which is the percentage of blood that’s ejected from the heart with each beat,” London said.
“Normal is 65 to 70%,” he continued, “if it’s markedly decreased from that, that could be an indication of heart failure or a weak heart.”
