Telltale sound when you fall asleep that can be a sign of killer heart disease

CORONARY heart disease - also called ischaemic heart disease - is a major cause of death in the UK.

It occurs when your heart's blood supply is blocked by a build-up of fatty substances in your coronary arteries.

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Many of us believe that heart problems will present as obvious symptoms, prompting us to immediately see a doctor.

And indeed, the most common symptoms of coronary heart disease are:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Pain throughout the body
• Feeling faint
• Feeling sick

But according to Michael Miller, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the disease might make itself in a much more subtle way before you go to sleep.

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When you're drifting off, you might hear your own breaths or the odd rumble of your belly.

But Dr Miller said you should keep your eyes cocked for a telltale sign that could indicate you have coronary heart disease: the sound of your own heart pounding.

Going to sleep is a time when your body unwinds and relaxes. Your heart shouldn't be beating so loud you can hear it - unless you've just ran up the stairs or done some other heart-raising activity.

"Some patients with a loud faulty valve can hear the sound of their valve at night when they are trying to fall asleep," Dr Miller told .

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Rather than adjust your sleep position to stop hearing the "thump-thump" sound, it's a good idea to speak to your GP about it.

A pounding heartbeat can also be a sign of low blood pressure, low blood sugar, anaemia, , or it could even be a consequence of the medication you're taking.

According to the , the feeling of your heart racing, pounding or fluttering is called palpitations.

It said palpitations could be caused by heart conditions that include:

• Arrhythmia - abnormal heart rhythm
• Cardiomyopathy - a disease of the heart muscle that affects its size
• Congenital heart conditions - when a defect to the valves or chambers develops in the womb
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Heart valve disease

It is advised you speak to your GP about them if they last a long time, don't improve or get worse.

This is also the case if you have a history of heart problems.