OVERLOOKED Signs Of Heart Disease, DO NOT IGNORE | Dr. Gundry

Summary

This video discusses the various symptoms and signs of cardiovascular disease that may not be immediately obvious. It highlights unusual indicators like jaw or neck pain, nausea, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and even dizziness that may signal heart issues. The video also explores diagnostic tools used to detect cardiovascular problems, including stress tests, CT coronary angiograms, and inflammation markers. The speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking medical advice for these symptoms and undergoing proper tests to detect potential heart disease early.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chest pain isn't always centered in the heart. Many heart issues, including heart attacks, may present with jaw, neck, or shoulder pain, especially on the left side.
• 😀 Women may not experience typical heart disease symptoms like arm or shoulder pain. Instead, symptoms like nausea or vomiting are more common indicators of heart problems.
• 😀 Shortness of breath and heaviness in the chest during exertion are signs that something might be wrong with the heart, especially if the symptoms resolve after stopping physical activity.
• 😀 Fatigue or tiredness, especially with activities that were previously easy, could indicate poor heart function due to reduced blood flow.
• 😀 Sleep apnea does not directly cause heart disease, but it can be a contributing factor to heart problems, worsening heart disease over time.
• 😀 Erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of arterial damage and a warning signal for heart disease. Men experiencing this symptom should undergo stress tests before using vasodilating drugs.
• 😀 Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) can cause pain and cramps in the legs during walking or exercise, which is similar to angina in the heart. This condition needs to be investigated through tests like ultrasounds or CT angiograms.
• 😀 Amaurosis fugax, a temporary loss of vision in one eye, can indicate plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, a potential sign of stroke risk.
• 😀 Dizziness or vertigo upon changing head positions could be a sign of vertebral artery disease, which can affect blood flow to the brain.
• 😀 A 'whooshing' sound in one ear, especially when lying down, could be a sign of narrowing in the carotid arteries, potentially indicating serious vascular issues.
• 😀 Advanced tests like CT coronary angiograms using AI, along with markers for inflammation like heart-specific C-reactive protein and Lp-PLA2, are important tools in diagnosing heart disease and assessing plaque buildup.

Q & A

What are some common symptoms of cardiovascular disease?

Common symptoms of cardiovascular disease include jaw or neck pain (especially on the left side), left shoulder and arm pain, chest heaviness or tightness, shortness of breath, and overall fatigue. Many individuals, especially women, might experience nausea or vomiting instead of chest pain.

How does heart disease present differently in women?

Women often do not experience the typical chest pain or shoulder arm pain associated with heart disease. Instead, they might have symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or fatigue. These symptoms can be easily overlooked and are crucial for diagnosis.

What does heaviness in the chest during physical activity indicate?

Heaviness in the chest during exertion, such as climbing stairs or walking, may indicate narrowing of the coronary arteries, which can be a sign of heart disease. The discomfort often goes away with rest and returns with continued activity.

What is a common sign of heart disease in elderly people?

In elderly individuals, a common sign of heart disease is the feeling of heaviness or tightness in the chest during physical exertion. This was notably seen in the speaker's own father, who experienced chest heaviness while running at a certain point during his workout.

What is a red flag when it comes to overall fatigue and heart disease?

Unexplained fatigue during routine activities that were previously easy to perform is a red flag for heart disease. This occurs because the heart's inability to pump effectively reduces blood flow to the muscles and lungs, leading to tiredness and shortness of breath.

How does sleep apnea relate to heart disease?

Sleep apnea itself does not cause heart disease, but it can be a contributing factor to the development of heart disease. Sleep apnea is associated with heart strain due to oxygen deprivation during sleep.

What is the connection between erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular health?

Erectile dysfunction is often an early sign of arterial damage, including narrowing of blood vessels. The same mechanisms that affect the arteries in the lower body also affect the coronary arteries, which is why erectile dysfunction should be taken as a warning for potential heart problems.

What is peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and how does it manifest?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) affects the arteries leading to the legs, causing cramps or tightness in the calves or feet during activity. This discomfort subsides with rest and returns upon resuming activity, similar to the symptoms of angina in the heart.

What is amaurosis fugax, and how is it related to carotid artery disease?

Amaurosis fugax is the temporary loss of vision in one eye, resembling a shade coming down over the eye. It occurs when a small blood clot temporarily blocks blood flow to the retina. This is often a sign of carotid artery disease, where plaque breaks off and travels to the eye.

What are the warning signs of vertebral artery disease?

Vertebral artery disease can cause dizziness when changing head positions, such as looking up or to the side. This happens because the narrowing of the vertebral arteries restricts blood flow to the brain.

What tests can help diagnose cardiovascular issues and which ones are most effective?

Cholesterol profiles, stress tests, and CT coronary angiograms are commonly used to diagnose cardiovascular issues. However, cholesterol profiles alone are not very informative. The CT coronary angiogram, particularly the Cleerly test, is the most effective as it uses AI to detect blockages under calcified areas, providing a 3D view of the coronary arteries.