Stomach bloating may be a warning sign of congestive heart failure - when the muscle is unable to effectively pump blood around the body, Report informs referring to the Express.
The progressive condition will eventually be fatal, which is why an early diagnosis might help prolong life.
More common in elderly people, the main indicators of the condition are breathlessness after activity or at rest, feeling tired most of the time, finding exercise exhausting, swollen ankles and legs.
Other signs of heart failure may include a persistent cough, which may be worse at night.
Furthermore, some people may experience wheezing, confusion, and an irregular heartbeat, known as palpitations.
As well as a bloated tummy, one may lose their appetite, and either put on weight or lose weight.
Heart failure may also cause dizziness and fainting in some people, or feelings of depression and anxiety.
The main cause of bloating is from excessive food intake and swallowing of air, known as aerophagia. Other causes of bloating include inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, indigestion, or temporary constipation.