Experts have urged Brits to be on the lookout for signs of fatal heart failure that could appear in the bathroom mirror.
While many associate problems such as shortness of breath and chest pain with this condition, doctors say changes in the face can be an equally reliable indicator.
A swollen, red or gray face are telltale signs that the organ is not pumping enough oxygenated blood around the body, according to Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.
“Understanding the telltale signs that the heart is not working properly can mean the difference between life and death,” he said.
Heart failure affects one million Britons in the UK and usually develops because the organ has become too stiff or weak.
While it cannot be cured, treatments and lifestyle interventions can relieve symptoms and improve quality of life.
However, the signs are often confused with other conditions, such as asthma or hormonal problems, meaning patients access therapies too late, when the disease has progressed.
Dr. Grant said the first change in appearance to look out for is swelling in the middle of the face.
Facial changes, such as swelling of the face, could indicate edema, where fluid is retained due to heart failure.
This could indicate fluid retention, medically known as edema, which It occurs when blood is not pumped properly to the kidneys, making it difficult for the organ to remove salt and water.
Fluid retention can cause people to suddenly gain weight and appear bloated, explains the British Heart Foundation.
“Discoloration is another important sign,” Dr. Grant added. “This includes blue lips and gray skin on the face; both indicate poor blood flow and circulation which could be due to low oxygen levels in the blood.”
When the heart fails, the organ cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.
Another clue is a red-tinged face.
This is because a flushed face is an indication of high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart failure.
High blood pressure causes the blood vessels under the skin to dilate, causing a red color to the face. It can also put extra pressure on the heart, damaging the muscle and eventually leading to heart failure.
“This is a major risk factor for heart disease and I strongly recommend that anyone experiencing any of these symptoms have an open conversation with their GP about the next steps to take,” Dr Grant warns.
There are also a number of other symptoms that should never be ruled out.
Although shortness of breath can be caused by many conditions, including asthma or respiratory viruses such as Covid, Dr Grant warns that it is a “massive signifier” of heart disease.
“When the heart cannot pump blood fast enough, the veins can quickly become clogged, causing fluid to leak into the lungs, which can lead to difficulty breathing,” he explained.
“In addition, a lack of oxygen-rich blood can influence shortness of breath as an individual struggles to get more oxygen by breathing faster.”
While some warning signs (pictured) are easy to spot, such as severe chest pain, others are more vague and difficult to identify.
He added that shortness of breath is especially concerning if it occurs while doing too little.
Heart palpitations are another key sign that the heart is having difficulty functioning normally.
Although the feeling of a racing or pounding heart can be caused by excessive caffeine consumption, certain medications, and anxiety, Dr. Grant warned that it is also a common heart condition: arrhythmia.
‘Arrhythmia is also known as an irregular heartbeat and can cause the heartbeat to slow down or speed up quickly.
“If left untreated, it can increase the risk of cardiac arrest, heart failure and stroke, so acting quickly is essential to avoid the risk of death,” Dr Grant said.
This irregular heartbeat can weaken the heart muscle, making it difficult to pump blood around the body and can be a precursor to heart failure, according to the NHS.
While there are many reasons someone may feel tired, especially during a stressful time of year, exhaustion can be a warning sign of heart failure.
“Unexplained tiredness and weakness could indicate heart failure, which means it’s crucial to monitor your energy levels and seek medical attention if they drop dramatically,” Dr. Grant said.
The Wanted star Max George has sparked concern after revealing he has been hospitalized with heart problems.
Heart failure can make you feel tired because your body is working harder to pump oxygen-rich blood to key organs.
“When our bodies can’t pump enough blood, they prioritize blood going to the brain and heart, which means muscles can feel weaker, leaving people more exhausted. Therefore, muscle strength and fatigue need to be closely monitored this winter,” said Dr. Grant.
Other symptoms include feeling sick, dizziness and sweating.
Dr Grant’s warning comes after The Wanted star Max George was hospitalized with heart problems earlier this month.
Fans were shocked that the 36-year-old suffered from problems traditionally associated with older people with much less healthy lifestyles.
“Following the news of Max George, it is an important reminder of how crucial it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle while managing symptoms to ensure people detect any potential health risks as early as possible,” said Dr Grant.
But the ultra-fit, athletic singer is far from the only young, apparently healthy man to suffer from heart problems, which in most cases are life-threatening.
In fact, the number of younger people with fatal heart problems, including heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases, is increasing.
Heart attacks in people aged 25 to 29 have almost doubled in the last decade, while the number of patients under 40 has risen by a quarter, NHS data from last year shows.
According to the British Heart Foundation, around 49,000 people under the age of 75 in the UK die each year from heart and circulatory diseases, including heart failure.
However, heart failure predominantly affects people over 75 years of age.
Overall, heart and circulatory diseases cause around a quarter of all deaths each year in the UK, the charity adds.
It is a long-term condition that worsens over time, but the prognosis varies depending on the patient and their illness, according to the NHS.
Obesity, drinking too much alcohol and smoking can cause the disease.
Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, are common treatments in addition to medications and surgery. In most cases, treatment is necessary for life, the NHS adds.