Heart Symptoms
The heart is a complex organ, and the conditions affecting it can present a vast number of unpleasant or life-threatening symptoms. At San Diego Cardiac Center, we offer advanced diagnostic testing to accurately identify the cause of your symptoms, followed by the appropriate treatment.
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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.