Patient Information & Healthy Living

Common Cardiac Symptoms

These symptoms can have many causes, but each is worth having a cardiologist evaluate, particularly if it is new, recurring or unexplained.

Chest Pain or Discomfort

Pressure, tightness, burning or heaviness in the chest, which may spread to the arm, neck, jaw or back.

Palpitations

A sensation of the heart racing, pounding, fluttering or skipping beats.

Shortness of Breath

Breathlessness with activity, when lying flat, or that wakes you from sleep.

Dizziness or Fainting

Lightheadedness, near-fainting, or loss of consciousness.

Swelling in the Legs or Ankles

Fluid buildup in the lower legs, ankles or abdomen, often worse by the end of the day.

Unusual Fatigue

Tiredness that is out of proportion to your usual activity or that limits your daily routine.

Leg Pain When Walking

Cramping or pain in the calves or thighs with walking that eases with rest, a possible sign of peripheral artery disease.

High Blood Pressure Readings

Repeatedly elevated blood pressure readings at home or at a health center.

When to See a Cardiologist

Consider scheduling a cardiology consultation if any of the following apply to you.

You Have Symptoms

Any of the symptoms above, especially if new, recurring, worsening, or not explained by another cause.

You Have Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, or a family history of heart disease or sudden death at a young age.

You Need Follow-Up Care

After a heart attack, stroke, heart surgery or a hospital admission for a cardiac condition.

A Test Result Was Abnormal

Another doctor has found an abnormal ECG, a heart murmur, or an abnormal cardiac finding on another test.

You Are Planning Surgery

You need cardiac risk assessment or clearance ahead of a planned operation.

You Want a Baseline Check

You are starting a new exercise program and have cardiovascular risk factors, or simply want a cardiovascular health check.

Seek Emergency Care Immediately If You Experience:

Severe or crushing chest pain, especially with sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back
Sudden, severe shortness of breath
Fainting or loss of consciousness
A very fast, very slow or highly irregular heartbeat with dizziness or chest discomfort

These can be signs of a heart attack or a dangerous heart rhythm. Call Rwanda's emergency medical service on 912 or go directly to the nearest emergency department. Do not wait for a clinic appointment.

Healthy Living, Made Simple

In Swahili, "leo" means today. You can only take care of your heart one day at a time: eat well today, move today, sleep well today. Information on health and lifestyle is abundant but often complex or intimidating, so this section keeps it simple. It is educational and does not replace a full assessment by your cardiologist.

Healthy Diet

Excess weight increases the risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other conditions. Weight is gained when calorie intake exceeds calorie use. As a rough guide, a person weighing 60 kg needs about 1500 calories a day to maintain that weight.

Eat modest portions.
Fill half your plate with vegetables.
Divide the remaining half evenly between protein and carbohydrates.
Eat on a regular schedule and avoid sugary snacks.
Drink at least 2 liters of water a day.
Limit alcohol intake (see below).

Online resource: World Health Organization, Healthy Diet.

Exercise

Regular exercise reduces the risk of hypertension, heart disease, stroke and diabetes, and the benefits appear whether or not you lose weight.

Exercise at least 3 times a week.
Aim for at least one hour per session.
Start with whatever works for you, such as walking, then increase intensity gradually.

Online resource: World Health Organization, Physical Activity.

Sleep Well

Good sleep supports clearer thinking and problem solving, lower anxiety, better blood pressure and easier weight management. Aim for at least 8 hours a night.

Avoid coffee in the afternoon.
Avoid bright screens, such as phones, laptops or television, while in bed.
Go to bed at the same time every night.
Keep a wind-down routine, such as reading under dim light or listening to a podcast.
Avoid alcohol and substance use (see below).

Online resource: US CDC, Sleep.

Meditation

The body is rarely well when the mind is not, and the reverse holds too. Set aside time each day to sit quietly and do nothing else. Whether you simply focus on your breathing or reflect quietly on gratitude, kindness and forgiveness toward yourself and others, this is meditation, and it benefits both mental and physical health, including lower blood pressure, less pain and reduced anxiety.

Meditate daily, ideally each morning before the day begins.
Sit somewhere reasonably quiet.
Do not expect too much from the practice, and do not be hard on yourself. Keep practicing.
Do not worry about duration. Start with a couple of minutes and build up gradually.

Online resource: US National Institutes of Health, Meditation.

Alcohol

How much alcohol is too much depends on many factors, and not drinking at all is the safest option. Alcohol misuse is associated with liver disease, excess weight, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and some cancers. If you choose to drink, staying within these limits reduces the risk:

No more than 3 drinking days a week.
Beer: no more than two small bottles (33cl) a day.
Wine: no more than one glass (15cl) a day.
Spirits: no more than one shot (4cl) a day.

Online resource: World Health Organization, Alcohol.

Know Your Weight

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple starting point for understanding whether your weight falls in a healthy range for your height. Enter your height and weight below to calculate it.

BMI is a general screening tool and does not account for muscle mass, body composition or individual health conditions. Discuss your result with your cardiologist.