Sign 8. Nausea and Loss of Appetite: Beyond Gastrointestinal Issues
Nausea and loss of appetite might seem like concerns tied exclusively to gastrointestinal complications, but they can also point towards heart disease. These symptoms might be subtler and less obvious than chest discomfort, yet they can sometimes precede or accompany the onset of more serious heart problems.
Heart disease can cause a decrease in blood flow, which affects the whole body, including the digestive system. When your heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently, it could affect your appetite, leading to a persistent lack of hunger.
This diminished appetite is not the typical loss of appetite you might experience when you’re feeling slightly under the weather or stressed. It’s a profound and persistent lack of desire to eat, despite regular meal times. It’s a reduction in appetite that doesn’t pass, and food might even seem unappealing when you attempt to eat.
Nausea is another symptom that can be related to heart disease. It’s a discomfort that goes beyond an upset stomach from a bad meal. You might feel persistently queasy, and this sensation may even lead to vomiting. The connection between heart disease and nausea isn’t as direct or well-known as other symptoms, which is why it can be easily overlooked.
Heart disease-related nausea can be especially noticeable in the morning. If you’re consistently feeling nauseous when you wake up, and it isn’t related to a known issue like pregnancy or a gastrointestinal disorder, it might be your body’s way of signaling a problem with your heart.
On their own, nausea and a decrease in appetite might seem unrelated to your heart. But these symptoms should not be dismissed, especially if they are accompanied by other signs of heart disease or if they persist longer than expected. If you’ve noticed a significant, unexplained change in your appetite, or regular bouts of nausea, it’s crucial to seek medical advice.
The symptoms of heart disease can be wide-ranging and interconnected. Listening to your body and noticing when things aren’t right can potentially save you from more serious heart complications down the line. If your heart is struggling, it’s important to catch it as early as possible, and that starts with paying attention to all possible symptoms, not just the ones that are widely recognized. (8)
