Cardiovascular diseases have been on the rise, and it is no surprise. Most of us spend our days glued to our chairs at work, not eating a balanced meal and dealing with high-stress levels.
This is backed by a study published in The Lancet, which reported 36.8 million people in ASEAN countries were affected by heart disease in 2021 alone. Countries such as Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia are seeing the steepest increase in this region.
As scary as that sounds, cardiovascular diseases are preventable. Read on to learn more about these seven silent signs your heart needs more tender loving care.
What you should know about cardiovascular diseases
We all know that our heart is the one organ that keeps us all alive. This fist-sized organ made up of muscles and tissues is the centre of our cardiovascular system, pumping blood and sending oxygen to every cell in our body. So what happens when it doesn’t function as efficiently as it should?
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders that affect the heart and blood vessels. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), common types of CVDs include coronary artery disease (which can lead to heart attacks), cerebrovascular disease (which can lead to strokes), rheumatic heart disease, and congenital heart disease.
Many of these conditions develop over time and are influenced by key risk factors such as:
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High blood pressure
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High cholesterol
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Tobacco use
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Diabetes
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Physical inactivity
- An unhealthy diet
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Understanding these risk factors is crucial for early intervention, which can significantly reduce the risk of serious complications.
7 signs you should look out for
When it comes to heart health, early detection can make all the difference. Cardiovascular diseases often develop silently over time, with symptoms that can be mistaken for stress, ageing, or minor health issues.
But catching these warning signs early allows for timely intervention, often through lifestyle changes and medical support, that can prevent more serious complications down the road.
By tuning into the quieter signals your body is sending, you give yourself the best chance at protecting your heart before the damage happens. Here are seven signs you should look out for to make that doctor’s appointment:
1. Constant feelings of fatigue
If you’re constantly feeling drained even after a good night’s sleep, your heart could be the reason why. When it isn’t pumping blood efficiently, your muscles and organs may not get the oxygen they need, leaving you tired all the time.
This kind of fatigue often creeps in slowly and is easy to dismiss as stress or just “getting older.”
What to do: Prioritise rest, manage stress levels, and eat nutrient-rich meals to support your energy levels. If the fatigue persists or worsens, it’s worth having your heart function checked by a healthcare provider.
2. Shortness of breath during everyday activities
Struggling to catch your breath when walking up the stairs or carrying groceries? It could be a sign that your heart isn’t pumping enough oxygen-rich blood to your body.
This symptom is common in people with early-stage heart failure or other cardiovascular and respiratory issues, and often goes unnoticed until it starts affecting daily life.
What to do: Take note of when breathlessness occurs and how severe it feels. You can test it out first with gentle physical activity such as walking, but stop if symptoms worsen. If there is still no improvement, it is recommended to speak to a doctor.
3. Swollen feet or ankles (fluid retention)
If your feet or ankles are regularly swollen by the end of the day, it might be caused by poor blood circulation. When this happens, it can lead to fluid build-up, particularly in the lower limbs.
This fluid buildup is also known as oedema and is a common sign of heart failure.
What to do: Elevate your feet when resting and limit your intake of foods with high salt content, which can cause the body to retain fluid. If swelling persists, it’s recommended to make an appointment with your medical professional, who can also help rule out other causes such as kidney or liver disease.
4. Irregular heartbeat
It’s normal for your heart to skip a beat occasionally, especially during stressful moments. Scientifically, this happens when the electrical signals that tell the heart to beat don't work properly.
However, if you notice frequent fluttering, pounding, or a racing heartbeat without a clear reason, it may signal an arrhythmia–an abnormal heart rhythm.
What to do: Reduce your intake of stimulants such as caffeine, which can trigger anxiety in some people, and practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation. If irregular rhythms are frequent, last longer than a few minutes, are paired with dizziness or chest discomfort, it’s best to get it checked as soon as you can.
5. Dizziness or lightheadedness
Feeling faint or unsteady, especially when standing up, can indicate low blood pressure or an inefficient heartbeat. Brain fog could also be the result of the lower blood supply to the brain. When this happens, it could mean your brain is not getting enough oxygen, potentially indicating underlying heart issues.
What to do: Make sure you’re well hydrated, and try rising slowly from a seated or lying position. Frequent or severe dizziness should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider for blood pressure checks and possible cardiac monitoring.
6. Snoring or gasping during sleep
Loud snoring, gasping for air, or waking up feeling unrested might seem like harmless sleep issues, but they could be signs of obstructive sleep apnea, a condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep.
Why is this a concern? Sleep apnea puts significant strain on your heart, increasing the risk of arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks. A 2023 study published in JAMA found that people with obstructive sleep apnea face a 60 to 80 per cent higher risk of heart disease.
What to do: If you’ve been told you snore loudly, stop breathing during sleep, or still feel exhausted in the morning, speak to your doctor. The good news is, sleep apnea is treatable with treatments such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, which can dramatically reduce your heart risk and improve your quality of life.
7. Subtle and unusual discomfort in jaw, neck, back or stomach
Not all heart-related pain shows up in the chest. Sometimes, it’s a strange ache in the jaw, a pressure in the upper back, or a discomfort in the stomach that doesn’t feel quite right. These symptoms can be mild, vague, or easily mistaken for muscle strain, indigestion, or stress.
These types of non-chest symptoms are more common in women, particularly those under 55, and may signal heart ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart) or even a “silent” heart attack — one that occurs without the classic crushing chest pain.
According to a 2023 study in Circulation, women in this age group are more likely to present with atypical symptoms when experiencing cardiac events.
What to do: Don’t dismiss discomfort just because it’s not in your chest. Pay attention to how it feels, when it occurs (especially during stress or activity), and how long it lasts. If it’s unusual, persistent, or comes with fatigue or shortness of breath, seek medical advice–your heart may be trying to tell you something important.
Cardio workouts that keep the heart strong
The heart loves movement and you don’t need intense workouts to keep it happy. In fact, low- to moderate-intensity activities done consistently can improve circulation, strengthen the heart muscle, and reduce blood pressure.
Heart-healthy cardio workouts to try:
- Brisk walking: Just 30 minutes a day can improve blood flow and endurance.
- Swimming: A low-impact, full-body workout that’s gentle on joints.
- Cycling: Great for cardiovascular health and improving leg strength.
- Dancing: Fun and effective for improving heart rate and lifting mood.
- Light strength training: Helps improve blood sugar control and ease the heart’s workload.
All you have to do is start, even if it is just a 5 to 10-minute session throughout the day. The key is consistency, not intensity.
Conclusion
Cardiovascular diseases don’t always begin with dramatic symptoms. Often, they develop gradually, with subtle signs that are easy to miss. Getting an early diagnosis and scheduling routine checkups gives you a head start in protecting your long-term health.
We live in a world where medicine cures all, but what if there were more natural alternatives? All your heart needs is movement, nourishment, rest, connection and care. Sometimes, loving your heart starts with simply listening to it.
Get ahead of your health journey by having a chat with our Naluri physicians. Curious to learn more about gum health affects your heart? Download our September booklet here.