Heart Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Is your heart trying to tell you something? Heed these warning signs that it could be in trouble.

In the midst of life’s busyness, you may be tempted to shrug off unusual health symptoms. But you should never delay care when you experience symptoms that could be signs of heart problems.

Symptoms that could be warning signs of a heart attack and require emergency medical attention include:

• Chest pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain (typically in the center of the chest) that lasts longer than a few minutes or goes away and comes back
• Chills or sweating
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Pain that radiates to the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Shortness of breath

“For some people, a heart attack is the first sign their heart is in trouble,” said Christopher L. Daniels, MD, FACC, FSCAI, interventional cardiologist at Cardiovascular Consultants of South Georgia. “Problems that can contribute to heart attacks – namely high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels – don’t always have symptoms.”

There are other subtle signs your heart could be in distress. Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, can cause symptoms similar to those of a heart attack as well as:

• Fainting or near-fainting spells
• A fast heartbeat
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• A “fluttering” feeling in the chest

Heart failure, a condition in which your heart doesn’t pump blood efficiently, can cause:

• Changes to appetite
• Feeling tired all the time
• Nausea
• A productive cough related to fluid build-up in the lungs
• Racing or fluttering heart
• Shortness of breath during activity and at rest
• Swollen ankles, feet, legs, neck veins or stomach

Having concerning heart symptoms? Schedule an appointment at Cardiovascular Consultants of South Georgia by calling 229.584.5570.