Heart attacks are one of the most fatal health conditions out there. They happen when there is an obstruction of blood flow to the heart, leading to damage in the heart muscles.
Heart attacks are generally preceded by symptoms that start several days or even weeks before the actual attack. These symptoms are often dismissed as common ailments, but they can be a sign of an upcoming heart attack. One such set of symptoms are hepatic symptoms.
What are hepatic symptoms?
Hepatic symptoms are related to the liver. Your liver filters toxins and impurities from your blood, making it an essential organ in your body. Hepatic symptoms are the symptoms that indicate a problem with your liver. They include:.
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Abdominal discomfort and pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Unusual changes in urine and stool
Hepatic symptoms and heart attacks
Recent studies have shown that there is a link between hepatic symptoms and an increased risk of heart attacks. When your liver is not functioning well, it can lead to the accumulation of fatty deposits in your blood vessels.
This can ultimately lead to a heart attack. In addition, the buildup of toxins in the liver can also have an indirect effect on the heart. The toxins can affect the blood vessels, leading to inflammation that can cause a heart attack.
There are several ways in which hepatic symptoms can indicate an upcoming heart attack. We will discuss them below:.
1. Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Jaundice is a condition where the skin and eyes turn yellow due to the buildup of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a waste product produced by the liver. It is normally processed and eliminated from the body.
However, when your liver is not functioning well, bilirubin can accumulate in the blood, leading to jaundice.
Jaundice can be an early sign of a heart attack. This is because the buildup of bilirubin in the blood can cause damage to the blood vessels and lead to the formation of clots.
These clots can obstruct the blood flow to the heart, leading to a heart attack.
2. Abdominal discomfort and pain
Abdominal discomfort and pain are common hepatic symptoms. When your liver is not functioning well, it can lead to inflammation and swelling in the liver, leading to abdominal discomfort and pain. This can also be a sign of liver failure.
Abdominal discomfort and pain can also be a sign of an impending heart attack. This is because the heart and the liver share the same nerve network.
This network can send pain signals to the brain, leading to discomfort and pain in both the liver and the heart.
3. Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of liver conditions such as hepatitis and liver failure. These symptoms are caused by the buildup of toxins in the blood that the liver is unable to filter out.
Nausea and vomiting can be a sign of an upcoming heart attack. This is because nausea and vomiting are common symptoms of a heart attack. The body’s response to the lack of blood flow to the heart can cause nausea and vomiting.
4. Loss of appetite
Loss of appetite is a common hepatic symptom. When your liver is not functioning well, it can lead to a decrease in appetite. This is because the liver produces bile that helps in digestion.
When the liver is not functioning well, the production of bile is affected, leading to a loss of appetite.
Loss of appetite can also be a sign of an impending heart attack. This is because the body’s response to the lack of blood flow to the heart can cause a loss of appetite.
5. Fatigue and weakness
Fatigue and weakness are common hepatic symptoms. These symptoms are caused by the buildup of toxins in the blood that the liver is unable to filter out.
Fatigue and weakness can also be a sign of an upcoming heart attack. This is because the body’s response to the lack of blood flow to the heart can cause fatigue and weakness.
6. Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet is a common hepatic symptom. This is because the liver produces protein that helps regulate fluid in the body.
When the liver is not functioning well, the production of protein is affected, leading to swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet.
Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet can also be a sign of an impending heart attack. This is because the lack of blood flow to the heart can cause fluid buildup in the body, leading to swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet.
7. Unusual changes in urine and stool
Unusual changes in urine and stool are common hepatic symptoms. When your liver is not functioning well, it can lead to a buildup of toxins in the blood that can affect the color and consistency of your urine and stool.
Unusual changes in urine and stool can also be a sign of an impending heart attack. This is because the lack of blood flow to the heart can affect the kidneys and the intestines, leading to changes in urine and stool.
Conclusion
Hepatic symptoms may indicate an upcoming heart attack. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Early detection and treatment can save your life.