Why Do I Feel a Congested Heart?
The heart is a crucial organ in the body, and any disease affecting it can easily impact one's life safety. Symptoms of feeling congested or suffocated in the chest area often require prompt attention. Such feelings can be caused by psychological factors or physical abnormalities in the heart, such as coronary heart disease and myocardial ischemia.
The sensation of feeling congested or suffocated in the chest can be triggered by emotional factors, such as encountering particularly angering or sad events, which can lead to a feeling of chest tightness. Additionally, this sensation can also be caused by pathological conditions in the heart, including coronary heart disease, myocardial ischemia, and arrhythmia. Acute myocardial ischemia is a common cause, presenting with symptoms such as chest congestion, difficulty breathing, and precordial pain. Elderly individuals are particularly susceptible to these symptoms. In such cases, sublingual administration of nitroglycerin can help alleviate the symptoms. However, if the symptoms persist, immediate medical attention is required.
The epigastrium, located in the upper abdomen, is the area where the stomach is situated, with the liver and gallbladder positioned slightly to the right. A sensation of congestion in this area is often caused by gastric distension and indigestion. Chronic gastritis, gastroptosis, duodenal retention, and other gastrointestinal conditions can also contribute to this feeling. Additionally, imbalances in gut microbiota and hepatobiliary diseases can lead to gastric and abdominal bloating due to digestive dysfunction. Although heart disease can sometimes manifest as a feeling of congestion in the epigastrium, it is typically accompanied by symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, and chest pain. To accurately diagnose the underlying cause, it is recommended to undergo relevant examinations such as electrocardiography, chest radiography, and hepatobiliary ultrasonography. If no abnormalities are detected, upper gastrointestinal barium meal or endoscopy may be performed for further diagnosis.
Heart disease is a highly prevalent condition that commonly occurs in daily life. There are numerous factors that can contribute to heart disease. Therefore, individuals with heart conditions should prioritize maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This includes adopting healthy habits such as sleeping early and waking up early, avoiding late nights, consuming foods beneficial for the heart, and avoiding smoky environments to provide a relaxed and stress-free atmosphere for the heart.
