04/28/2025
Heart disease doesn’t always make a loud entrance. Some of its first symptoms are so subtle and deceptive that they often go unnoticed—excessive fatigue, indigestion, or an unusual pain. Such signs can be your heart's scream for assistance. Unfortunately, many people remain unaware of the fact that they are suffering from heart disease until it is too late, such as after a heart attack.
Since cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide, early detection is crucial. An effective strategy for taking charge of your health is staying aware of what to look for, particularly the subtle symptoms. We highlight five such warning signs in this article that often go overlooked but could potentially indicate a heart condition. These symptoms could be life-saving indicators that your body is already attempting to convey.
Keep yourself well-informed, remain vigilant, and don't undervalue the subtle ways your heart may be communicating with you. Because the first line of defence and prevention when it comes to heart health is awareness and alertness.
Why Do Heart Diseases May Remain Hidden?
If your heart is experiencing any trouble, would you be aware of it? Not all cardiac issues exhibit obvious symptoms. The terrible chest grip and subsequent fall to the ground that you see in movies is not always the case. There are cardiac symptoms that don't even occur in the chest, and diagnosing them isn't always easy. You should be more cautious about anything that might be connected to your heart if you have more risk factors.
5 Warning Signs of Heart Problems
If you experience any warning signs of a heart attack, don't delay getting immediate medical attention. Some heart attacks happen instantly and intensely. Others begin gradually with very slight discomfort or pain. Keep an eye on your body and call emergency medical care as soon as possible:
| Category | Symptom | Details |
| Classic Chest-Related Symptoms | Chest Discomfort | Pain, tightness, or pressure in the chest. May feel like an elephant sitting on the chest or burning. Can happen at rest or during activity. |
| Pain that Spreads to the Arm | Radiating pain, often starting in the chest and moving to the left arm. Sometimes it appears as arm pain only. | |
| Throat or Jaw Pain | Not usually heart-related unless it starts in the chest and radiates upward. Could signal a heart attack. | |
| Digestive-Like Discomforts | Nausea, Indigestion, Heartburn, or Stomach Pain | Often mistaken for common GI issues. Can occur during a heart attack, especially in women. |
| Breathing and Circulation Symptoms | You Feel Dizzy or Lightheaded | May indicate a drop in blood pressure due to poor heart function. If combined with chest pain or shortness of breath, seek help. |
| A Cough That Won’t Quit | Persistent cough producing white or pink mucus can signal heart failure due to fluid backup in lungs. | |
| Your Legs, Feet, and Ankles Are Swollen | Can be caused by inefficient blood pumping, leading to fluid buildup and bloating. | |
| Fatigue and Unusual Physical Responses | You Get Exhausted Easily | Fatigue or breathlessness from routine activities can signal heart trouble. Especially common in women. |
| Sweating | Cold sweat without a clear cause could indicate a heart attack. Seek immediate help, especially if accompanied by other symptoms. | |
| Sleep and Rhythm-Related Issues | Snoring | Loud, choking snoring could be a sign of sleep apnea, which strains the heart. |
| Irregular Heartbeat | Palpitations or fluttering can sometimes signal atrial fibrillation. Should be evaluated, especially if paired with dizziness or chest pain. |
What Tests Help in Diagnosing Heart Disease?
Common tests that aid in diagnosing heart diseases include:
- Blood Tests: Tests to measure the levels of cholesterol, blood sugar levels and specific proteins. It can be done to check for blood clotting issues as well.
- Ankle brachial index (ABI): To diagnose peripheral artery disease by comparing the blood pressure in your ankles and arms.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): It is done to record the heart's electrical activity.
- Ambulatory monitoring: It is done through wearable devices by tracking your heart rhythm and rates.
- Echocardiogram: It makes use of sound waves to create an image displaying your heartbeat and blood flow.
- Ultrasound: It uses sound waves to check blood flow in your legs or neck.
- Cardiac computerized tomography (CT): It used to create 3D images of your heart and blood vessels using X-rays .
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): To create highly detailed images of your heart using magnets and radio waves.
- MR angiogram or CT angiogram: To examine blood vessels in your legs, head, and neck using MRI or CT.
- Stress tests: It analyzes the effect of physical activity on your heart in a controlled setting, using exercise or medications, to determine the response of the heart.
- Cardiac catheterization: To measure pressure and blood flow in your heart using a catheter.
What to do If You Suspect a Heart Attack?
First aid for heart attack includes:
| Step | Action | Details |
| 1 | Call 911 or Emergency Number | Don’t ignore symptoms. If no ambulance is available, have someone drive you. Drive yourself only if there's no other option. |
| 2 | Take Aspirin (if recommended) | Helps prevent blood clotting and may reduce heart damage. Only take if advised by a healthcare provider. Call for emergency help first before taking aspirin. |
| 3 | Take Nitroglycerin (if prescribed) | Take it as directed if you suspect a heart attack and have a prescription. Helps relieve chest pain while waiting for emergency services. |
| 4 | Start CPR (if necessary) | If the person is unresponsive and not breathing or pulseless: • Untrained: Do hands-only CPR (100–120 compressions/min). • Trained: Begin with 30 compressions and 2 rescue breaths. |
| 5 | Use AED (if available) | Use if the person is unconscious. Follow voice prompts. The device will only shock if appropriate. Helps restore normal heart rhythm. |
Conclusion
It's possible that you are unaware that you have cardiovascular disease. Symptoms do not usually appear right away. Dizziness, chest discomfort, leg swelling, and headaches are some of the more subtle signs of heart disease. You could also feel depressed or have symptoms similar to a panic attack. See a doctor if you notice any symptoms that could indicate heart disease. If you have severe shortness of breath or persistent chest discomfort, get help right once.
Learn when to seek medical attention for heart diseases from our expert cardiologists at Eternal Hospital. Book your consultation now!
FAQs
Q1. Can women have distinct signs of heart disease?
A: In contrast to classic chest discomfort, women may have more uncommon symptoms such as indigestion, stomach pain, lightheadedness, and unusual exhaustion.
Q2. Is a heart attack usually indicated by chest pain?
A: Not all the time. There are several reasons why people may experience chest discomfort. Never disregard severe or ongoing chest pain, though, particularly if it spreads to other areas like the arm or jaw.
Q3. How can I spot the difference between heart problems and indigestion?
A: Seek prompt medical attention if indigestion is followed by nausea, cold chills, breathing problems, or chest pain, particularly if you have heart disease risk factors.