Heart disease encompasses various conditions affecting the heart, and the signs and symptoms can vary depending on the specific type of heart disease. Common symptoms may include:
1. Chest Pain or Discomfort (Angina)
- A feeling of pressure, tightness, or fullness in the chest.
- May radiate to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
2. Shortness of Breath
- Difficulty breathing, especially with physical activity or when lying flat.
- Can be a sign of heart failure or other heart-related issues.
3. Fatigue
- Unexplained or excessive tiredness, even with minimal activity.
- Can indicate heart failure or coronary artery disease.
4. Palpitations
- Rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeats.
- May feel like fluttering or a racing heart.
5. Swelling (Edema)
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen.
- May indicate heart failure or problems with blood flow.
6. Dizziness or Lightheadedness
- Feeling faint or lightheaded, especially when standing up quickly.
- May be linked to arrhythmias or poor blood circulation.
7. Cold Sweats
- Excessive sweating without physical exertion, often accompanied by chest pain.
8. Pain in the Upper Body
- Pain or discomfort in the shoulders, arms, back, neck, jaw, or upper stomach.
9. Nausea or Vomiting
- Can sometimes be associated with heart attack symptoms, especially in women.
10. Coughing or Wheezing
- Persistent cough or wheezing that may produce pink-tinged mucus, indicating heart failure.
11. Rapid or Irregular Heartbeats
- Fast or irregular pulse, which can be a sign of arrhythmia.
12. Sleep Apnea
- Interrupted breathing during sleep can be a sign of heart disease, particularly in individuals with high blood pressure or other risk factors.
13. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Often asymptomatic but can lead to long-term damage to the heart and arteries.
Symptoms by Condition
Here’s a breakdown of common heart conditions and their associated symptoms:
1. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
- Chest pain or discomfort (angina): Often described as a squeezing or pressure sensation in the chest.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially with exertion.
- Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak.
- Palpitations: An abnormal heart rhythm or irregular heartbeat.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: Can occur if the heart isn’t pumping effectively.
2. Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
- Chest pain: A feeling of tightness, pressure, or heaviness in the chest.
- Pain in other areas: Pain or discomfort may radiate to the arms, jaw, neck, back, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, even with minimal activity.
- Cold sweats: Sudden sweating without physical exertion.
- Nausea or vomiting: Feeling sick to the stomach.
- Fatigue: Unexplained tiredness or weakness.
- Dizziness or fainting: Feeling lightheaded or faint, especially with physical activity.
3. Heart Failure (Congestive Heart Failure)
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially when lying flat or exerting oneself.
- Fatigue: Feeling excessively tired after little physical activity.
- Swelling (edema): Swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or abdomen due to fluid retention.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeats: Palpitations and arrhythmias.
- Persistent cough or wheezing: Often producing pink-tinged mucus.
- Reduced ability to exercise: Difficulty performing normal physical tasks.
4. Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat)
- Palpitations: Feeling a racing, fluttering, or irregular heartbeat.
- Dizziness or fainting: Lightheadedness or losing consciousness, especially with certain arrhythmias.
- Chest pain or discomfort: Pressure or tightness in the chest.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during episodes of irregular heartbeats.
- Fatigue: Unusual tiredness or weakness.
5. Heart Valve Disease
- Fatigue: Feeling extremely tired or weak, even with light activity.
- Shortness of breath: Breathing problems, especially when lying flat or exerting oneself.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen: Due to fluid retention.
- Chest pain: Can occur if the valve problem leads to reduced blood flow.
- Irregular heartbeat: Palpitations or arrhythmias.
- Coughing: Persistent dry cough or wheezing.
6. Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Often no symptoms: Hypertension is known as the “silent killer” because it typically does not show obvious symptoms.
- Headaches: Can occur, particularly in severe hypertension.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness: Especially if blood pressure is extremely high.
- Blurred vision: Can result from damage to the blood vessels in the eyes.
- Shortness of breath: Especially if high blood pressure has caused heart failure.
7. Pericarditis (Inflammation of the Heart’s Lining)
- Sharp, stabbing chest pain: Often worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or lying down.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially when lying down.
- Fatigue: Feeling unusually tired or weak.
- Fever: Can occur as part of the inflammatory process.
- Cough: A dry cough may accompany the condition.
8. Aortic Aneurysm
- Sudden, severe chest or back pain: Often described as tearing or ripping, especially with a ruptured aneurysm.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, particularly if the aneurysm is near the lungs.
- Dizziness or fainting: Can occur if blood flow is severely impaired.
- Difficulty swallowing: If the aneurysm is in the aortic arch, it may compress nearby structures.
- A pulsating feeling near the abdomen: If the aneurysm is in the abdominal aorta.
9. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
- Pain in the legs: Often when walking or exercising (claudication).
- Numbness or weakness: In the legs or feet, especially after physical activity.
- Cold feet or legs: Reduced blood flow can cause these areas to feel cold.
- Wounds that won’t heal: Poor circulation can result in sores or ulcers, particularly in the feet.
- Change in color: Legs or feet may appear pale or bluish.
10. Congenital Heart Defects
- Fatigue: Excessive tiredness or weakness, even with light physical activity.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during physical exertion.
- Swelling: In the legs, abdomen, or feet due to fluid buildup.
- Cyanosis (bluish skin): Skin may take on a bluish color, especially around the lips or fingertips, due to poor oxygen levels.
- Heart murmur: An abnormal heart sound heard with a stethoscope, which may indicate a defect.
- Poor growth: In infants or children with congenital heart defects.
11. Cardiomyopathy
- Fatigue: Unexplained tiredness or weakness.
- Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, especially during exertion or lying down.
- Swelling: In the legs, ankles, or abdomen due to fluid retention.
- Irregular heartbeats: Palpitations or a racing heart.
- Chest pain or discomfort: Can be due to the heart’s inability to pump blood effectively.
12. Endocarditis (Infection of the Heart’s Inner Lining)
- Fever: Often accompanied by chills or sweating.
- Fatigue: Unusual tiredness or weakness.
- Heart murmur: An abnormal heart sound due to damage to heart valves.
- Swelling: In the legs or abdomen.
- Petechiae: Small red or purple spots on the skin, often found on the hands or feet.
