Heart Disease Symptoms

Heart disease symptoms vary depending on the type of disease and the gender of the person. Because of this, the symptoms of heart disease often go unnoticed until the heart muscle has already sustained damage. Knowledge of the signals which herald impending heart trouble can lead to early detection and treatment, which can ultimately save a life.

The most well-known symptom of heart disease is chest pain, but many heart attacks occur without any precipitating pain. While some victims do have severe chest pains, others refer to this symptom of heart disease as indigestion or intense pressure through the upper part of the body. Some experience the pain or squeezing sensation in their shoulders, arms, or along the jaw.

Heart palpitations are another warning symptom of heart disease. These are caused when the heart gets out of rhythm and usually signal cardiac arrhythmia. Patients suffering from any type of arrhythmia, including supraventrical tachycardia, premature atrial complexes, premature ventrical complexes, and atrial fibrillation, generally describe the feeling as the heart skipping a beat or racing away. Sometimes the heart rhythm becomes so erratic that it causes faintness or a loss of consciousness.

One of the symptoms of heart disease that is often associated with other conditions is dizziness. People who feel drunk or lightheaded should see a doctor to ensure that these feelings are not related to heart problems. Often fainting is a sign of reduced blood flow which may be related to a heart blockage. Even when patients don’t faint, many with heart disease report feeling lethargic and weak. Chronic tiredness or fatigue unassociated with rigorous activity is a symptom of heart disease that often goes unrecognized.

Shortness of breath can also be a signal that the heart isn’t functioning properly. People who have difficulty getting enough air during both exercise and rest may be experiencing heart failure or may have the first stages of coronary artery disease. Struggling to take in enough oxygen or awakening at night panting for breath could be serious indications that a dangerous heart condition is present. 

The only way to be sure that these symptoms are related to heart disease is to have the appropriate tests done. Many other health issues have symptoms that mimic those of heart disease, but a doctor should be consulted if any of these symptoms are present. 

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