ARE COUGH AND COLD A SYMPTOM OF HEART DISEASE?

 

 Nowadays, it’s expensive to be sick. That’s why people are vigilant about taking medicine for cough and cold as soon as they feel the symptoms of a brewing illness. You might think what you are feeling is just an incoming flu, but what if it’s something much worse? What if what you are experiencing is actually a symptom of a heart disease? Here’s what you need to know if that hacking cough of yours is a sign of a cardiovascular problem.

 

 

Are Cough and Cold Related to Heart Problems?

Flu, which is sometimes confused for cold, lists coughing as one of its symptoms. Which is why, at times, people take cough and cold medicines with the thought that they are preventing themselves from developing flu. However, what would happen if your cough is hinting you at a different disease altogether?

Aside from flu, different diseases list cough as a symptom. One of which is heart disease. Although cold is not currently listed as one of its symptoms, coughing can be an indication that you have an underlying heart problem.

In most cases, coughing doesn’t necessarily mean that you have heart disease. However, if you are already at risk of developing serious heart problems, then coughing can be a sign of fatal illnesses concerning this cardiovascular organ like heart failure. If this is the case, watch out for a persistent cough that produces white or pink sputum.

Other Symptoms of Heart Problem

Aside from coughing that produces pink or white mucus, there are other symptoms related to heart problems. Watch out for the following signs:

• Chest Pain. If you are feeling a pain or tightness in your chest, it might be an indication of an underlying heart problem. If this happens for several minutes, visit your doctor immediately; it might mean that you are having a heart attack that can result to heart failure. Watch out because sometimes this chest pain can move and spread towards the rest of your body. In some cases, instead of chest pain, patients feel pain in their arms which serves as the only indication that they are having a heart attack.

• Dizziness or Lightheadedness. A lot of factors can make you feel faint or dizzy. Sometimes, it’s just because you stood up too fast or maybe you forgot or skipped a meal. These are easily remedied. However, if your lightheadedness is accompanied by other things such as chest pain as well as shortness of breath, it’s time to call a doctor. This might mean that your heart is not pumping regularly resulting to a drop in your blood pressure.

• Unexplained Weakness or Exhaustion. In some cases, pain doesn’t warn you that you have a heart disease. Sometimes, your warning comes in the form of unexplained weakness or exhaustion. Do you feel exhausted after doing something that you normally have no problem doing before? For instance, climbing up and down the stairs used to be a piece of cake for you. Then all of a sudden, you feel tired or weak after doing it. This can be a symptom of heart attack so make an appointment with your doctor straightaway.

 Don’t immediately assume that your cough is an indication of flu. It might be something else, like an underlying heart problem. In this case, taking medicine for cough and cold might not be helpful. If you have a long lasting cough partnered with any of the symptoms above, visit your doctor immediately.

 To be safe, consult a doctor as soon as you experience one of the symptoms stated above.

For more information make an appointment by calling 0925-567-5329 • 0908-865-5662 • 0917-566-1932 • 458-0717 and schedule a consultation today.

  
Visit us at BRITANNIA MEDICAL CENTER - The Enclave