- Chest pain or pressure that spreads to the left arm, neck, or jaw may be a sign of a heart attack.
- Shortness of breath at rest, while lying down, or during simple tasks like walking or showering may be a sign of heart disease.
- Fainting, bluish fingertips, swollen ankles, or a racing heart with weakness or chest pain should be evaluated by a doctor.
Heart disease symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, swollen ankles, fatigue, dizziness, and cold sweats. These symptoms may be linked to heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, arrhythmias, or, in some cases, a heart attack.
Heart disease often develops over time, so symptoms may be subtle at first or mistaken for being out of shape. Some signs, such as chest pain that spreads to the left arm, neck, or jaw, or shortness of breath at rest, should be treated as a medical emergency.
Heart disease symptoms are sometimes only found during routine exams, such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), stress test, echocardiogram, or blood tests. Treatment depends on the cause and may include diet changes, regular physical activity, and medicines such as blood pressure medications or diuretics.
Symptoms of heart disease
Heart disease symptoms can include:
1. Snoring
Snoring may be related to heart conditions such as arrhythmias, heart failure, and coronary artery disease. In addition to snoring, symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain during physical activity may also be present.
2. Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath related to heart disease usually occurs during physical activity, such as climbing stairs or walking uphill. In more severe cases, it can make daily tasks difficult, such as walking or taking a shower, or it may even happen at rest.
It may also get worse when lying down, which can interfere with sleep. This can cause a person to wake up several times during the night or need to sleep propped up with pillows.
3. Chest pain or discomfort
When chest pain is related to heart disease, it may feel like burning, tightness, pressure, or squeezing in the chest. It often gets worse during physical activity or emotional stress and usually improves with rest.
According to the American Heart Association, chest discomfort that spreads to the arm, neck, or jaw, especially when accompanied by shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, or lightheadedness can be a symptom of a heart attack and should be treated as a medical emergency.
4. Persistent dry cough
A dry cough may also indicate heart problems when it is associated with shortness of breath and/or gets worse when lying down.
5. Bluish fingertips
Bluish fingertips usually happen due to low oxygen levels in the blood, which may indicate a heart condition such as heart failure. In these cases, shortness of breath and fatigue are also common.
6. Dizziness and fainting
Dizziness and fainting may indicate that the heart is having more trouble pumping blood throughout the body. These symptoms are common in people with arrhythmias or aortic insufficiency, for example.
Other heart disease symptoms are usually also present, such as a racing heart, cough, shortness of breath during physical activity, and chest pain.
7. Palpitations or racing heart
Palpitations or a racing heart may be a sign of an arrhythmia, heart failure, or coronary artery disease. In these cases, these symptoms are usually associated with shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness, fainting, or chest pain.
8. Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet may indicate that the heart is having trouble pumping blood to the body, as can happen with heart failure. This can affect blood flow back from the legs, leading to swelling.
9. Fatigue
Fatigue is another common symptom of heart problems, especially when it happens often. It may first appear during activities that require effort, but over time it may start to affect daily tasks, such as walking or taking a shower.
In more advanced stages, fatigue may be noticeable even at rest.
10. Cold sweats
Cold sweats, when accompanied by intense shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, or a burning sensation in the stomach, may indicate heart problems such as heart failure or coronary artery disease.
11. Indigestion, nausea, or loss of appetite
Indigestion, nausea, or loss of appetite may indicate heart problems when they occur with a burning sensation in the stomach. In this case, other symptoms may also be present, such as chest pain or discomfort, excessive sweating, and anxiety.
The burning sensation in the stomach may get worse with physical activity, such as running or climbing stairs. It tends to improve with rest within about 5 to 15 minutes.
Online test
Select the symptoms you are experiencing to check your risk of a heart problem:
Regardless of the test result, if heart disease is suspected, it is recommended to see a primary care provider or cardiologist for a more detailed evaluation.
Risk factors
The main factors that increase the risk of developing heart disease include:
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Uncontrolled high blood pressure
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Poorly controlled diabetes
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Obesity
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Unhealthy diet, especially one high in fat and/or sugar
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Lack of regular physical activity
In addition, using certain substances, especially tobacco and alcohol, is also an important factor in the development of heart problems. These substances can increase blood pressure and damage blood vessels.
Tests for heart health
Whenever a heart problem is suspected, it is important to see a primary care provider or a cardiologist. They may order tests such as a chest X‑ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, or stress test to assess the heart and how well it is working.
The cardiologist may also request blood tests, such as troponin, myoglobin, and CK‑MB levels, which can change during a heart attack and help confirm the diagnosis.
How to prevent heart disease
To prevent heart disease, it is recommended to:
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Eat a healthy diet by reducing salt and fat intake, choosing lean meats, and increasing the intake of vegetables.
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Do physical activity regularly. Based on CDC recommendations, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, which can help support heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
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Avoid smoking, because cigarette use increases the risk of heart disease.
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Lose weight, especially in cases of overweight or obesity.
In addition, other measures are also recommended, such as choosing to walk or bike instead of using a car and using stairs instead of elevators. These habits help the body move more and burn more energy, helping to prevent conditions such as atherosclerosis and heart attack.