Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States. Every person is at risk for heart disease, which is why it is so important that you take care of your body and learn the early warning signs of heart disease. If you catch the problem early enough, you should be able to treat the problem before it becomes too serious. Here are a few things you should be on the lookout for.

1. Anxiety Attack

Most people do not realize that an anxiety attack is actually a sign of a heart attack. If you have had previous problems with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or you know you are at risk for a heart attack, pay close attention to your anxiety. If you start to have a panic attack without good reasoning, but it feels like your heart is racing and you have a sense of impending doom, you might be in the early stages of a heart attack.

2. Trouble Breathing

Having trouble breathing is another sign of early heart failure. You might feel like you can't take deep breaths or that you are out of breath quicker than you used to be. Although heart disease affects the heart as the primary organ, your lungs will feel the pain too. You might not be able to do normal activities like you used to and get tired earlier.

3. Swelling of Your Extremities

Another common sign of heart failure is swelling in your extremities. The heart is responsible for getting good circulation throughout the body. If the blood is not able to flow through the body correctly, it will cause there to be a lot of swelling in the area. Pay close attention to your feet and hands to make sure that there is no extra swelling. If you are swollen often, talk to your doctor.

4. Sweating

Sweating after you work out is totally normal. Simply sitting in a chair and then breaking out into a cold sweat is not normal. This is an early sign that you are experiencing a heart attack. Much like the anxiety attack, your body will start to go into a hyper sensitive mode where you might feel shortness of breath and anxiety and begin to sweat. This is a symptom that should not be ignored.

By recognizing the early signs of heart disease, you can make sure that you are getting the proper treatment. For more information, contact Martin Medical Center or a similar location.