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6 unusual signs of heart disease
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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Stress, high blood pressure and diabetes are the "recognizable" signs that may indicate a high risk of cardiovascular disease. However, there are also less obvious symptoms that most people don't even suspect and don't associate with heart disease.
Sexual dysfunction
Problems in sexual relations can be the first warning sign of heart disease. When the cardiovascular system is affected, problems with erection are the first to appear. This is because the arteries that lead to the genitals are narrower and smaller than those that supply blood to the heart muscle.
Baldness
Hair loss is a sign of bigger issues than just appearance. A correlation between heart disease and hair loss is reported in the scientific journal Archives of Internal Medicine. Lead author Dr. Alvarez says heart disease may be directly related to the lack of proper circulation to hair follicles.
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Snoring and apnea
Scientists from Emory University, Atlanta, have found that breathing problems in snorers or people with sleep apnea are associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. It takes years before heart problems are detected, so be careful if you have breathing and sleep problems.
Migraines
Women who regularly experience severe headaches should be on guard because it may indicate an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, say experts from the American Academy of Neurology. Circulatory problems that cause migraines can trigger heart problems.
Plastic tableware
Plastic plates and cups should go in the trash, now. Experts from the University of Cincinnati say the chemical bisphenol A, which is found in plastic utensils, can produce molecules that mimic the effects of estrogen, which increases the risk of heart disease.
Hidden edema
If swelling of the legs has become a regular concern and in the evening you feel like your feet don’t fit into your shoes and it’s hard to take rings off your toes, this may indicate hidden swelling that is not visible to the naked eye and is a characteristic sign of the initial stage of heart failure.