9 Signs You May Be at Higher Risk of Heart Disease

This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It is general information and is not medical advice, so please talk to your doctor about your own health.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. In the United States one person dies from it every 36 seconds, and it is behind about 1 in 4 deaths. Part of what makes it so dangerous is that it often builds quietly for years before anything feels wrong, which is why it is called the silent killer.

The good news is that your body often gives clues long before a crisis. The list below comes from Heart Disease Code, a guide and docuseries built on interviews with over 40 cardiologists, doctors and nutrition experts. None of these signs means you will develop heart disease, and having none of them does not mean you are completely safe. If any of them apply to you, please book an appointment with your doctor and talk it through.

If you ever have chest pain, trouble breathing or sudden weakness, call your local emergency number immediately.

## 1. High blood pressure

High blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels every single day. Many people have it without knowing, because it rarely causes obvious symptoms. A quick check at a pharmacy or your doctor's surgery is one of the easiest ways to learn more about your heart.

## 2. Extra weight around your middle

Weight carried around the abdomen is often treated as a more important warning sign than weight elsewhere on the body. If your waistline has crept up over the years, it is worth mentioning to your doctor even if your overall weight seems reasonable.

## 3. Type 2 diabetes

Blood sugar and heart health are closely connected. People living with type 2 diabetes are widely recognised as having a higher risk of heart problems, so keeping in regular contact with your care team matters a great deal.

## 4. Unusually high cholesterol

Cholesterol gets more attention than any other number, and very high readings deserve to be taken seriously. At the same time, the experts in the Heart Disease Code series point out that roughly half of people who have heart attacks have normal cholesterol, so it is one sign among several and should not be your only measure.

## 5. Inflammatory conditions

Ongoing inflammation in the body is a recurring theme in the series, and inflammatory conditions appear on the list of signs for that reason. If you live with one, ask your doctor how it might affect your heart and what you can do to support your health.

## 6. Gum disease

It surprises many people to see gum disease on a heart list. Your mouth is part of the same body, and doctors have long taken an interest in how gum health and heart health may be connected. Regular dental check-ups are a sensible habit for your heart as well as your teeth.

## 7. Erectile dysfunction

For men, erectile dysfunction can be related to poor blood flow. Because the same blood vessels serve the whole body, it can sometimes be an early hint that circulation elsewhere deserves a closer look. It can feel awkward to raise, but your doctor will have heard it many times before.

## 8. High triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood, and they are usually measured in a standard blood test alongside cholesterol. High readings are worth discussing, particularly if you eat a lot of sugar and refined grains.

## 9. Sleep problems

Poor sleep affects far more than your energy the next day. If you snore heavily, wake often or never feel rested, mention it to your doctor, because sleep problems are on the list of signs linked to higher heart risk.

## What to do if some of these apply to you

Seeing two or three of these signs in your own life can feel worrying, and it is completely natural to want answers fast. The most useful step you can take is to see your doctor, explain which signs apply to you and ask what checks would make sense. Write your questions down beforehand so nothing gets forgotten in the appointment.

If you already take medication for any of these conditions, keep taking it as prescribed. Learning more about your heart should help you work with your doctor, and any change to your treatment needs to be their call.

Beyond that, learning how heart disease develops gives you a real advantage. Once you understand the role of blood sugar, blood pressure, food choices, sleep and inflammation, everyday decisions become much easier to make.

## A guide that explains the causes behind these signs

Heart Disease Code was created by documentary filmmaker Matt Carter, who saw heart disease kill and cripple many of his loved ones. He spent 3 years interviewing over 40 experts and survivors for The Untold Story of Heart Disease, a 9-part docuseries of about 10 hours. Episodes include "High Blood Pressure Decoded & Tools for Thriving" and "The Blood Sugar Tragedy: Overcoming Diabetes & Hope for Change", which speak directly to several signs on this list.

You also get the Heart Disease Code ebook with 9 steps to fight and prevent heart disease naturally, plus bonuses including a Heart Healthy Cookbook, a Supplementation Guide and a Cardiovascular Testing Guide that explains modern tests to discuss with your doctor. See everything inside Heart Disease Code here ({{AFFILIATE_LINK}}).

It is $19.95 as a one-time payment, down from $99.95, with instant access on any device and a 60-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. If even one sign on this list sounded familiar, it is a very good time to learn more. Get Heart Disease Code and start understanding your heart today ({{AFFILIATE_LINK}}).