Will this discomfort go away on its own, or do you need to see a doctor or perhaps dial an ambulance? The symptoms that you should take seriously are highlighted by BHF Professor David Newby.
If there was something wrong with your heart, would you know?
Not every cardiac condition has obvious warning indicators. Not every frightening chest clutch is accompanied by a floor fall, as is the case in most motion pictures. There are cardiac symptoms that don’t even occur in the chest, and diagnosing them isn’t always simple.
Discomfort or pain in the chest
These include any recent sensations of tightness, heaviness, or squeezing in the chest, which may be brought on by cholesterol accumulation restricting the arteries and decreasing the amount of blood reaching the heart. A slight new sensation could potentially be a significant indicator of heart disease. Particularly concerning is discomfort during rest, which should prompt you to see a healthcare provider.
Severe exhaustion and lightheadedness
Persistent fatigue and lightheadedness that interfere with your regular activities may indicate a potential heart attack. If this weariness gets worse as you move, heart failure can be the cause.
Physical discomfort
The source of the pain may vary depending on where it is located in the heart. A heart attack is frequently indicated by pain in the upper body, which includes the arms, back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or abdomen. An indication of heart illness could be a pain in the neck, back, jaw, throat, or belly.
Digestion or pain in the stomach
Your chest or abdomen experiencing a burning or indigestion-like pain could be a sign of a heart attack or other heart-related problems. Professor Newby explains, “The issue is that due to the proximity of the stomach, gullet (the area between your mouth and stomach), and heart, it can be difficult for medical professionals and the general public to differentiate between pains that are burning or indigestion-like and heart pain. NHS 111 is a good place to start if you need help; they have certain algorithms they employ, but they aren’t ideal because there aren’t hard and fast rules that apply to everyone.
Feeling sweaty
Breaking a sweat after working out at the gym or on a particularly hot day is not a cause for concern. However, having chest aches and feeling hot and clammy indicates that you need to contact for help.
You have swollen ankles, feet, and legs.
This may indicate that your heart isn’t pumping blood as efficiently as it ought to be.
Bloating results from blood clotting in the veins when the heart cannot pump blood quickly enough.
Bloating may also result from heart failure, which can make it more difficult for the kidneys to eliminate excess water and salt from the body.
Rhythmical Heartbeat
When you’re anxious or excited, it’s natural for your heart rate to increase or decrease by a beat sometimes.
However, see your doctor if you’ve started experiencing palpitations. If you have persistent palpitations or an irregular heartbeat, dizziness, shortness of breath, or any other chest discomfort or pressure, call 911.
“In most cases, it’s caused by something easy to fix, like too much caffeine or not enough sleep,” adds Bufalino. However, on occasion, it may indicate the need for therapy for a condition known as atrial fibrillation. So have your physician look at it.
