Three 'red flags' that you could have a weak heart, according to cardiac surgeon
A cardiac surgeon has explained there are three 'red flags' which could indicate you have a weak heard and need to get that looked at.
Humans very much need a heart to live so having a weak one opens the door to all sorts of health issues, and cardiac surgeon Dr Jeremy London explained that for people going under the knife 'heart function is the single most important determinant of how patients do with surgery'.
He explained that 'patients with strong hearts do much better than patients with weak hearts' when they're in surgery and ran through some ways to tell if your heart was not as strong as it could be.
His first piece of advice was to go and seek medical attention, not from someone making a video on the internet but by meeting your actual doctor who could better assess you and make a diagnosis.
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However, he did have three red flags that might indicate a weak heart, but again these don't guarantee it and you need a doctor's direct opinion of you.
Three red flags that indicate a possible weak heart
Speaking on a YouTube video, Dr London identified three big warning signs not to be ignored.
Telling his viewers they should begin with a 'physical examination', the surgeon said: "Shortness of breath when walking, the inability to lay flat and breath comfortably and swollen legs. All the signs of many different heart conditions should be red flags."
Measuring heart strength
Doctors can learn much about the health of a human heart by using an echocardiogram or an ultrasound probe that's placed on the chest.
Dr London said: "This typically can measure ejection fraction, which is the percentage of blood that's ejected from the heart with each beat. Normal is 65 to 70 percent.
"If it's markedly decreased from that, that could be an indication of heart failure or a weak heart."
Heart failure does not necessarily mean it has stopped, it means it's unable to properly pump blood around the body and this typically occurs because of a weak or still heart.
A stronger heart is better able to withstand the stress of surgery, and can help boost a person's post-surgery recovery time as well.
Improving your heart health
Sorry for those hoping there's some magic pill or secret trick to taking care of your body, but a healthy diet, exercise, avoiding stress and getting enough sleep really is key to improving your heart health.
You're still allowed to have fun, but you've only got one body so you're better off looking after it.
Remember, short breath while walking, not being able to lay flat and breathe comfortably and swollen legs, those are the three red flags that tell you it might be time to talk about your heart health.
Joe Harker