If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is critical that you have your condition evaluated, as early intervention can be life-saving or slow the progression of a serious heart condition. Be alert to the following symptoms of heart disease or damage:

  • Fluttering heartbeat: Heart palpitations can be caused by an arrhythmia, a heart defect, or another heart problem that requires treatment.
  • Racing heartbeat: A racing heartbeat may be related to an arrhythmia or a condition called supraventricular tachycardia (SVT).
  • Slow heartbeat: A slow heartbeat is called “bradycardia” and could indicate that your heart is unable to supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body.
  • Bluish skin tone or lips: This symptom indicates the blood is not delivering enough oxygen, which could indicate serious heart disease.
  • Chest pain: Angina, or heart pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, is a symptom of coronary heart disease.
  • Shortness of breath: Several heart conditions can lead to shortness of breath, including coronary heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and others. 
  • Fainting: Low blood pressure, an enlarged or weakened heart, damage to the heart muscle, or a valve disorder can all lead to fainting, and getting a diagnosis is an urgent matter.
  • Lightheadedness: Lightheadedness may be a symptom of heart disease, stroke, or a heart attack. Most often, this is a serious symptom if accompanied by chest pain, nausea, arm pain, back pain, or jaw pain.
  • Dizziness: Dizziness is a common symptom associated with heart failure, abnormal heart function, irregular heartbeat, or the narrowing of a heart valve.
  • Nausea, indigestion, heartburn, stomach pain: These symptoms may appear during a heart attack, along with pressure, tightness in the chest, and pains spreading to the neck, jaw, or back.
  • Radiating pain on the left side of your body: This symptom often accompanies a heart attack.
  • Throat or jaw pain: A painful sensation in your jaw, like a toothache, can be a symptom of a heart attack. Women often experience this symptom during a heart attack, occurring on the lower left side of the jaw.
  • Fatigued or exhausted easily: A constant feeling of fatigue can be a symptom of heart failure or coronary artery disease.
  • Sweating: Sweating suddenly or more than usual may be a symptom of heart conditions such as narrowed arteries.
  • Swollen feet, legs, and ankles: Edema, or swelling in the feet, legs, and ankles, can be a sign that your heart is in trouble, with the blood flow backing up in the leg veins and causing fluid buildup in the tissues.
  • Irregular heartbeat: An irregular heartbeat may be a symptom that your heart’s electrical system is not functioning correctly.
  • Trouble breathing: The early stages of heart failure may present by a noticeable change in your breathing when moving about, exercising, or even when at rest.
  • Problems with vision or speech: Cardiovascular disease can trigger vision problems. A sudden symptom of impaired ability to speak could indicate you are suffering a stroke or other heart condition. 

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