Six warning signs of heart disease that warrant seeing your GP

Between poor dietary choices and unlucky genetics, there are many triggers for heart disease.

What’s worse, the major killer claims around 160,000 lives each year in the UK alone, according to the British Heart Foundation.

Just like any serious condition, heart disease is easier to treat when it’s detected early, making symptom awareness front and centre.

Fortunately, Professor Anthony Mathur, a Trustee of the Heart Cells Foundation Charity, has shared six warning signs of the potentially deadly culprit with Express.co.uk.

“These [following] symptoms can all be very indirect but may warrant consultation with your GP if they are unusual, persistent and intrusive,” he said.

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1.Irregular heartbeat 

While your chest is the most obvious area for symptoms when it comes to heart disease, Professor Mathur explained what exactly to look for.

He said that if you experience an intermittently fast and erratic heartbeat that is not related to exercise, this could suggest a condition called atrial fibrillation.

2.Chest pains 

Pain in this area that crops up with exercise or walking, but goes away once you stop, could point to angina.

Angina details the narrowing of your arteries supplying blood to your heart.

3.Leg pain 

Cramping leg pains that occur while you’re walking could point to the narrowing of your arteries, supplying blood to your legs, the expert shared.

4.Jaw or back pain

Battling jaw or back pain that crops up on exertion but is relieved by rest may be an “early indicator” of heart disease, Professor Mathur said.

5. Swollen ankles 

While there might be other causes behind bigger than usual ankles, it’s important to consider heart disease, according to the expert.

He added that you should take this especially seriously if the swelling is persistent, leaves you unable to put shoes on, or leads to discolouration of the skin.

6. Extreme fatigue 

Similarly to swollen ankles, there might be many different causes of extreme fatigue, but heart disease is also a candidate to consider.