Overlooked Symptoms of Heart Issues
While chest pain is a commonly recognized symptom of heart problems, it isn’t always present in individuals with heart disease. Several other often-overlooked symptoms can signal underlying heart issues and warrant medical attention. These symptoms may manifest differently in individuals and can be subtle, making them easy to dismiss. It’s important to be aware of these less obvious signs, particularly if you have risk factors such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, tobacco use, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, or a family history of heart disease.
Fatigue: Persistent, unexplained fatigue can be an indicator of heart failure or coronary artery disease. While fatigue can be attributed to various factors like lack of sleep, medications, or other illnesses, new-onset, constant tiredness should not be ignored, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. Heart failure occurs when the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, leading to fatigue. Coronary artery disease, where fatty deposits build up in the arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart, can also cause fatigue.
Unexplained Aches and Pains: Aches and pains that occur outside the chest, particularly in the shoulders, arms, back, jaw, or abdomen, can be a sign of heart trouble. These pains can be attributed to the heart’s "cry for help" as it works harder due to reduced blood supply caused by coronary artery disease. Pains that arise during physical activity and subside with rest are particularly suggestive of heart-related issues.
Shortness of Breath: While breathlessness after exertion is normal, especially if you’re not regularly active, shortness of breath with minimal activity should raise concern. Experiencing shortness of breath after climbing a few stairs or engaging in light activity could be a sign of an underlying heart problem. This symptom can also be associated with heart failure, where the heart struggles to pump sufficient oxygen-rich blood throughout the body.
Swollen Feet and Ankles: Swelling in the feet, ankles, and legs, known as edema, can indicate heart failure. Edema occurs when fluid accumulates in the tissues due to the heart’s inability to pump efficiently. If pressing a finger into the swollen area leaves an indentation, it’s likely edema. However, it’s important to note that edema can also be caused by other conditions like kidney or liver disease, venous insufficiency, or certain medications.
Heart Palpitations: Heart palpitations, characterized by a heightened awareness of your heartbeat, can manifest as a racing, pounding, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat. While palpitations can be triggered by factors like stress, caffeine, nicotine, or strenuous exercise, they can also indicate an underlying heart condition, especially if they occur at rest or are accompanied by other symptoms. It’s crucial to pay attention to the nature of the palpitations, their frequency, and the circumstances under which they occur. Palpitations that arise during rest or are accompanied by other symptoms warrant medical evaluation.
Subtle Signs of a Heart Attack: While classic heart attack symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and dizziness, some signs can be more subtle. Pain radiating to the arms, jaw, neck, back, or stomach, sweating, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, weakness, fatigue, coughing, and wheezing can also indicate a heart attack. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms, as a heart attack is a medical emergency. It’s important to differentiate between a heart attack and cardiac arrest. A heart attack is caused by blocked blood flow to the heart, while cardiac arrest is a sudden cessation of the heart’s pumping function.
