Cardiologist warns 'never ignore' these five symptoms of high blood pressure

Cardiologist warns 'never ignore' these five symptoms of high blood pressure Heart expert Dr Francesco Lo Monaco says people should be aware of red flag signs like unexplained fatigue and breathlessness A cardiologist has listed five symptoms people with high blood pressure should never ignore - even if they don't realise they have the 'silent killer' condition. He has also revealed the 'silent' everyday habits that could be quietly weakening your heart. Private cardiologist consultant Dr Francesco Lo Monaco says millions of people unknowingly put extra strain on their hearts every single day through seemingly harmless habits. From uncontrolled blood pressure and untreated sleep apnoea to carrying excess weight, drinking too much alcohol and spending long periods inactive, several common lifestyle factors can force the heart to work harder over time. In some people, that can eventually contribute to weakening of the heart - a condition known medically as cardiomyopathy. Dr Francesco Lo Monaco said an enlarged heart can also develop gradually and may not cause obvious symptoms until it has become more advanced. He said: “Many people assume they would know if something was wrong with their heart, but that’s often not the case. The changes can happen slowly over many years, particularly if risk factors such as high blood pressure aren’t well controlled.” Silent condition many people don’t know they have One of the biggest contributors is high blood pressure, which is often described as a 'silent killer'. “When blood pressure remains elevated for months or years, the heart has to pump against greater resistance,” Dr Lo Monaco explained. “Initially the heart muscle adapts by becoming thicker, but over time these changes can affect how efficiently the heart works. If left untreated, this can contribute to enlargement and weakening of the heart and eventually increase the risk of heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms and other cardiovascular complications.” The health expert says this is one of the reasons high blood pressure is often described as a “silent killer”. Many people have no symptoms until damage has already begun. The NHS says: "High blood pressure significantly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes – often described as a ‘silent killer’ as there are usually no symptoms, which makes it hard to spot. It is estimated that around 4.1 million people in England are living with it without realising." Warning signs people shouldn’t ignore Although many people have no symptoms, Dr Lo Monaco says anyone experiencing five warning signs should seek medical assessment as soon as possible. He says these include: - breathlessness - swollen ankles - chest pain - palpitations - unexplained fatigue “The encouraging news is that many of these risk factors are modifiable,” he said. “Keeping your blood pressure under control, treating sleep apnoea, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and limiting alcohol can all reduce the strain placed on the heart over time.” Five everyday habits that put extra strain on your heart Poorly controlled blood pressure “The single biggest modifiable risk factor we see is high blood pressure,” Dr Lo Monaco said. “Many people feel perfectly well, so they don’t realise the damage can be happening silently.” Untreated sleep apnoea Repeated drops in oxygen overnight increase stress on the cardiovascular system. “Sleep apnoea doesn’t just cause tiredness,” he said. “It is strongly associated with high blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythms and structural changes within the heart.” Excess alcohol Heavy drinking over long periods can weaken the heart muscle. “Alcohol-related heart disease often develops gradually, so people may not notice any symptoms until significant damage has occurred.” Obesity Carrying excess weight increases the amount of work the heart has to perform every day. Dr Lo Monaco said: “The heart has to pump blood around a larger body, meaning it works harder continuously.” Physical inactivity Regular movement helps maintain cardiovascular health. “A sedentary lifestyle doesn’t directly enlarge or weaken the heart on its own, but it contributes to several of the major risk factors that do, including obesity and high blood pressure.”