According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, claiming 17.9 million lives annually. This encompasses a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, rheumatic heart disease, and other conditions.
While symptoms can sometimes appear suddenly, heart disease often develops slowly over months or even years. In some cases, symptoms related to heart disease first appear or worsen in the morning. Fluctuations in hormone levels and blood pressure in the morning contribute to this. Early detection allows for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Chest pain or discomfort is a typical sign of potential heart problems, often occurring in the morning. This discomfort usually feels like pressure, tightness, or squeezing in the center or left side of the chest. It can occur in episodes, disappearing and reappearing, sometimes radiating from the chest to the arm (typically the left arm), neck, jaw, back, and abdomen. Individuals experiencing this symptom should seek medical attention promptly for diagnosis and treatment.
Shortness of breath upon waking can also be a sign of heart disease. When the heart doesn't pump blood efficiently, fluid can build up in the lungs, causing difficulty breathing. This symptom requires attention as it can affect breathing while lying down or resting. Shortness of breath due to heart disease can be sudden and intense. Other respiratory symptoms like a persistent cough and wheezing may signal a serious health condition.
An irregular heartbeat, or palpitations, accompanied by a rapid or skipped heartbeat immediately after waking, can also indicate conditions like coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy. Irregular heart rhythms are more common in the morning due to a natural surge in the body's cortisol levels. Other associated symptoms include dizziness, chest pain, fatigue, and even a feeling of impending fainting.
Extreme fatigue in the morning, despite adequate sleep, suggests the heart isn't supplying enough oxygen-rich blood to the body. This fatigue differs from typical tiredness as it occurs abruptly without an apparent cause. Women, in particular, should be aware of this early heart disease symptom, as it often manifests before other signs appear. When unusual fatigue is combined with shortness of breath or chest tightness, medical evaluation is essential.
Dizziness experienced in the morning can be due to insufficient blood flow to the brain. This can be caused by arterial blockages, heart rhythm problems, and fluctuating blood pressure, all of which can weaken the heart's pumping action. Individuals experiencing frequent morning dizziness accompanied by sweating or nausea should undergo a heart health check.
Bao Bao (Theo Times of India)
