It was reported in the Independent on 30th April that a cardiologist had shared six warning signs of heart troubles that should never be ignored. This was said to have come after TV presenter Emma Willis, 49, had discovered she had a hole in her heart. It was noted that the mother-of-three and former Big Brother host had expressed her gratitude to the Royal Brompton Hospital in London for its exceptional care and support after undergoing keyhole heart surgery. She was also said to have thanked her husband, Busted bassist Matt Willis, for all the help he had given her.
Emma Willis
Willis stated to the world : “A few weeks ago, I had keyhole heart surgery, which feels very strange to write, and even stranger when I say it out loud. Turns out, I’ve been pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware I had a hole in my heart. Isn’t it bonkers what’s happening in our bodies that we have no idea about.”
This lack of awareness in the case of Willis about her own heart issues demonstrates just how subtle the symptoms of heart problems can be.
Consequently, the Independent consulted an expert, Dr Oliver Segal, consultant cardiologist and electrophysiologist at The Harley Street Clinic, part of HCA Healthcare UK, who has shared the following warning signs you should never ignore:
1.Chest Discomfort
Segal begins by warning that, “the type of chest discomfort that people often put down to indigestion or being unfit could be a warning sign of angina or an impending heart attack”.
“Classically, but it will vary hugely, it’s a dull ache in the chest rather than a sharp pain. It tends to be in the middle of the chest across the front, and characteristically it tends to occur with exercise and disappear with rest.”
2. Breathlessness
Segal also noted that, “breathlessness could also be put down to all sorts of things, like chest infections, being unfit or the weather”.
“But it could imply either heart failure of some description or a heart rhythm problem.”
If you suffer from breathlessness this should be addressed immediately by a medical professional. It was also noted that, breathlessness related to heart issues is usually worse during exercise”.
Dr Segal went on to explain: “For example, if you’ve got heart failure or your heart muscle function is impaired, or you’ve got a bowel heart valve problem, then typically the breathlessness will be much worse when you try and do something,” explains Segal. “However, rhythm disturbances are different.
“Atrial fibrillation, for example, can occur randomly and if it happens to occur at rest, you may feel breathless at rest, and then the next day you might be able to run around wherever you want, and you’ll feel back to normal.”
3. Pain in the left arm
In relation to pain in the left arm, Segal emphasises that, “characteristically, heart pain goes into the left arm”.
“It’s to do with the nerve supply of the heart and sharing that nerve supply with the arm. It’s pain that radiates into another part of the body just because of the way nerve supply works.”
4. Palpitations
Heart palpitations should also definitely be seen as a warning sign that there might be something working with your heart that you need to get checked out.
Dr Segal commented: “People often put palpitations down to stress or anxiety, but it could be a type of arrhythmia, like atrial fibrillation.”
“Frequent skip beats, for example, are often subtle and most of the time that will be benign, but sometimes it can be a sign that the heart muscle is struggling.”
5. Extreme fatigue
Another warning sign is if you are feeling extremely tired and suffering from a serious amount of fatigue.
Segal did note that “there are probably hundreds of causes of fatigue, and the heart is just one possible explanation.
“But atrial fibrillation, for example, which is the most common heart rhythm problem, characteristically causes fatigue and lethargy. Heart failure can also make people feel fatigued.”
6. Dizzy spells
The final warning sign was said to be if you are suffering from dizzy spells.
Dr Segal did admit that “most of us get dizzy occasionally, normally because of getting up too quickly. But dizzy spells could indicate that there is a problem with the heart rhythm and that it is going too slowly or sometimes too quickly.”
It was also emphasised that if you have a profound dizzy spell, the kind which causes you to grab a piece of furniture, you may need to get immediate medical attention.
Segal was keen to stress that, “if your dizzy spells are happening frequently or they’re severe, then that would be a key indicator to seek urgent medical attention. Many times, there will be absolutely nothing to worry about, but it’s certainly a symptom to look out for.”
Avoiding heart problems
St John’s Ambulance have some useful tips here about how to avoid having serious issues with your heart.
