World Heart Rhythm Day: how to recognise the warning signs of cardiovascular disease

The heart works without pause. It beats thousands of times a day, pumps blood throughout the body and ensures that every cell receives the oxygen it needs to function.

However, many people only think about cardiovascular health when a problem arises. Chest pain, unexpected shortness of breath, palpitations or a diagnosis that arrives without warning.

World Heart Rhythm Day is an opportunity to remember how important it is to listen to the body’s signals and adopt habits that protect heart health.

In this article we explain the main warning signs, who is at greatest risk and what you can do to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Key points of the article

• Cardiovascular diseases remain among the leading causes of death worldwide
• High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle significantly increase cardiovascular risk
• Chest pain, shortness of breath, palpitations and dizziness are signs that warrant medical attention
• Prevention is built on healthy lifestyle habits and regular medical follow-up
• Early diagnosis can reduce the risk of serious complications

What are cardiovascular diseases?

Cardiovascular diseases comprise a group of problems that affect the heart and blood vessels.

Among the most common are:

• Coronary heart disease (responsible for many heart attacks)
• Heart failure
• Cardiac arrhythmias
• Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Stroke
• Peripheral arterial disease

Although they are different diseases, many share similar risk factors and can develop over several years without causing obvious symptoms.

That is precisely why prevention and medical monitoring are so important.

What are cardiac arrhythmias?

The heart works through electrical impulses that coordinate each beat. When these impulses are disrupted, what are known as cardiac arrhythmias can arise.

An arrhythmia can make the heart beat too fast, too slowly or irregularly.

Not all arrhythmias represent a serious problem. However, some can increase the risk of complications such as stroke, heart failure or other cardiovascular conditions.

The most common signs include:

• Palpitations or a sensation of a racing heart;
• Irregular heartbeats;
• Dizziness;
• Shortness of breath;
• Unexplained tiredness;
• Fainting episodes.

Whenever these symptoms appear persistently or suddenly, it is important to seek medical assessment.

Who is at greatest risk?

Anyone can develop cardiovascular disease. However, there are factors that significantly increase that likelihood.

Non-modifiable risk factors:

• Advanced age
• Family history of cardiovascular disease
• Male sex (although the risk in women increases after the menopause)

Modifiable risk factors:

• Arterial hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Chronic stress

Having one or more of these factors does not mean you will develop heart disease, but it considerably increases the likelihood.

Warning signs you should not ignore

Not all cardiovascular diseases present obvious symptoms. Even so, there are signs that warrant attention.

Chest pain or discomfort

This is one of the best-known symptoms.

It can appear as a sensation of pressure, tightness, heaviness or burning in the centre of the chest. In some cases, the pain may radiate to the arms, back, neck or jaw.

Shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing during usual exertion, or even at rest, may indicate heart problems.

Many people describe this sensation as “breathlessness” or an inability to carry out activities that used to be simple.

Palpitations

Feeling the heart beat too fast, too slowly or irregularly can be a sign of a cardiac arrhythmia.

Although not all palpitations are serious, they should be assessed when they occur frequently or are associated with other symptoms.

Dizziness or fainting

A temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain can cause dizziness, a feeling of faintness or loss of consciousness.

When these episodes recur, it is important to seek medical assessment.

Excessive tiredness

Persistent fatigue that is out of proportion to the effort made can be one of the first signs of heart failure or other cardiovascular conditions.

Swelling in the legs and ankles

When the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, fluid retention can occur, especially in the lower limbs.

When should you seek urgent medical help?

Some symptoms require immediate medical attention.

Seek urgent help if you experience:

• Intense or prolonged chest pain
• Sudden shortness of breath
• Fainting
• Sudden weakness on one side of the body
• Difficulty speaking
• Sudden change in vision
• Palpitations accompanied by dizziness or loss of consciousness

In these cases, every minute can make a difference.

How to protect your heart?

Prevention remains the best strategy for reducing cardiovascular risk.

Some simple measures include:

• Taking regular physical exercise
• Maintaining a balanced diet
• Keeping blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes under control
• Avoiding tobacco
• Reducing excessive alcohol consumption
• Attending routine appointments and tests

Small changes can have a significant impact on cardiovascular health over a lifetime.

Health literacy and access to care

Recognising the warning signs is only the first step. Regular medical follow-up, having tests carried out and timely access to healthcare remain essential to preventing cardiovascular complications.

At Ambula, we believe that health literacy plays an essential role in prevention. For this reason, we seek to contribute to greater awareness of subjects that directly affect people’s quality of life.

All Ambula partners — from ambulance operators to taxi and TVDE services — operate within a health-mobility framework, with a focus on safety, care and the specific needs of each patient.

Conclusion

World Heart Rhythm Day is an opportunity to remember that cardiovascular health deserves attention every day of the year.

Knowing the risk factors, recognising the warning signs and adopting healthy habits are essential steps to protecting the heart and preventing serious complications.

The heart is with us at every moment of life. Caring for it today is an investment in a longer, healthier life with a better quality in the future.