Heart disease is a major global health concern. It often results from narrowed or blocked blood vessels, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Recognizing the body’s signals and seeking immediate medical attention is vital. Early recognition allows for prompt intervention, preserving heart muscle function and improving long-term health outcomes.
The Five Heart Disease Symptoms
The most common symptom is chest discomfort, often called angina. This sensation is described as heavy pressure, squeezing, fullness, or aching in the center or left side of the chest. The discomfort may be mild or severe, lasting several minutes or coming and going repeatedly.
Shortness of breath can happen with or without accompanying chest pain. This occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively, causing fluid to back up into the lungs. Experiencing breathlessness when resting or during minimal activity is a cause for concern.
A third symptom is pain that radiates beyond the chest area to the jaw, back, or arms. Pain extending down one or both arms is a classic presentation. This referred pain can also be felt in the neck, upper abdomen, or back.
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting suggest the heart is struggling to pump enough blood to the brain. This can signal a dangerously slow or fast heart rhythm. A sudden feeling of being unsteady or about to pass out warrants immediate attention.
The fifth symptom is extreme fatigue and nausea. This exhaustion is far greater than normal tiredness and may last for days, resulting from the heart’s reduced pumping capacity. Nausea or vomiting can also occur, sometimes mistaken for a gastrointestinal issue.
Recognizing Variations in Symptom Presentation
Heart symptoms do not always follow the textbook presentation, and awareness of these differences is important for timely diagnosis. Women often experience more non-specific signs, which may delay seeking treatment. While chest pain remains common, women are more likely to report symptoms such as jaw pain, upper back pain, or severe digestive issues like nausea and vomiting.
Biological differences contribute to these varied presentations. Older adults may also present with subtle or minimal symptoms. In seniors, a heart attack may be indicated by sudden confusion, unexplained weakness, or a new episode of delirium, sometimes with mild or no chest pain.
Immediate Action During a Cardiac Emergency
Time is a factor during any suspected cardiac event, and the first action must be to call the local emergency number immediately. Emergency medical services personnel can begin life-saving treatments, such as administering oxygen and monitoring the heart rhythm, sooner than if the person drives to the hospital. The individual should stop all physical activity, remain calm, and rest in a seated or semi-reclined position.
If the individual is conscious and not allergic, chewing an aspirin tablet is often recommended while waiting for help. Aspirin works quickly to inhibit platelets from forming blood clots, which helps limit damage to the heart muscle. Chewing the aspirin, rather than swallowing it whole, allows for faster absorption. Under no circumstances should someone experiencing symptoms drive themselves to the hospital.
Underlying Factors That Increase Risk
Several chronic conditions and lifestyle choices increase the risk of a cardiac event. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor because it forces the heart to work harder, damaging arteries over time. Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels, specifically high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, contribute to the buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries.
Diabetes accelerates damage to the blood vessels and nerves. Lifestyle factors like smoking are harmful, as tobacco chemicals damage the lining of the arteries. Obesity and a lack of physical activity worsen these conditions, straining the cardiovascular system. A family history of early-onset heart disease also suggests a genetic predisposition that should be discussed with a healthcare provider.