Contributed by Ryan Peterson.
As everyone knows, your heart is an organ you cannot live without. It is what pumps blood – and therefore oxygen – around your body, ensuring that all other organs are taken care of. If your heart has a problem, it can be fatal, and it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.
Sometimes recognizing the warning signs that your heart is in trouble can be difficult. They might be more minor than you would expect, or perhaps you mistake the signs for something else. That’s why it’s important to understand what the signs are so you get help immediately.
Chest Discomfort
There may not be a problem with the heart when you feel a tightness or pinching in your chest. Most of the time, if you’re having trouble breathing, it’s because of a problem with your lungs, especially if you’ve been working out. But it can be a more serious problem.
If the feeling lasts longer than it would normally take for you to catch your breath, or if it happens when you are resting instead of when you are physically active, you seek emergency care. Even if you don’t feel pain, it doesn’t mean there isn’t something wrong with your heart. Many people, especially women, can have a full heart attack without being in pain, so acknowledging this discomfort could be vital.
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