Ella Scott
Brits suffering from swollen hands and ankles are being urged to see medical professionals as it could point to a serious underlying health issue.
Surprisingly, a new report stipulates that most people said they wouldn’t visit a doctor if they witnessed abnormal swelling in their hands, legs, ankles and feet.
Most people also wouldn't see their GP if they experienced heart palpitations, abnormal fatigue, dizziness or shortness of breath.
This is especially alarming since these are all symptoms of a little-known disease which kills one young person in the UK every week.
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Your heart is the crown jewel in your circulatory system and is made up of multiple layers of sensitive tissue.
Unfortunately, the middle layer of the heart wall—the myocardium—can become inflamed, eventually causing you to be more likely to develop blood clots or suffer from a stroke.
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According to The Myocarditis Foundation, inflammation is the reason for 5-22 percent of deaths in all athletes under the age of 35 and can be caused by contracting viral infections.
The Mayo Clinic also states that adverse reactions to various medicines can trigger the condition
Unfortunately, myocarditis can easily go unnoticed as those suffering from its early stages are unlikely to exhibit symptoms.
However, people who have experienced the inflammation have noted the presence of chest pain, fatigue and irregular heart palpitations.
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Another common symptom is swelling, especially in the hands, legs, ankles and feet of the sufferer.
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It’s also noted that early detection and treatment can lower the risk of long-term complications or fatalities from the condition.
Regarding the newly published results, Andy Jansons, Chair of the charity Myocarditis UK said: “It's so important to be aware of the symptoms and know that it's OK to seek medical help if you're experiencing them.
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“We have come a long way since we began in 2013 where there was hardly any information available on myocarditis, but the introduction of a National Awareness Day is an incredible step forward in raising recognition.”
Andy, whose son Alexander Jansons died from the condition, aged 18, added: "Alexander would have appreciated that the awareness day date is also the same date his birthday would have been.”
The first annual National Myocarditis Awareness Day took place on August 17.
Experts claim that with increased knowledge of myocarditis and its various symptoms, members of the public will be better informed and be able to spot warning signs before it’s too late.
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For more information protecting your heart health or just supporting those close to you affected by the condition, you can visit Myocarditis Charity UK for more details