Heart health can be an issue at any age, and particularly when there are other risk factors such as smoking, obesity, or diabetes at play. It is important that we learn to identify symptoms of poor heart health, because it isn't always obvious. In the movies we see people clutching their chests and falling to the ground, but what about the more subtle symptoms that may be present prior to the heart attack? What about those people who don't feel chest pain during a heart attack?
There are a number of symptoms and they present differently in everyone, but we've listed 10 key signs that you should see a doctor about your heart health. A simple check-up is all it takes to put your mind at ease.
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1. Chest discomfort. This is the most common sign of heart danger, according to MedicineNet. A blocked artery can cause feelings of tightness, pressure or pain in your chest. This discomfort may come and go, but it will usually last longer than a few minutes. If the pain is very brief, or your chest physically hurts to touch, then it's probably not related to your heart, but if you have severe chest pain or tightness for more than a couple of minutes, this could be a heart attack; call 911.
2. Gastrointestinal distress. Nausea, heartburn, indigestion and stomach pain can all be symptoms of a heart attack, according to WebMD, and are particularly common in women. If you're having this symptom as well as any others on the list or you're at risk of heart disease, seek help.
3. Pain in your left arm. This is a common heart attack symptom. The Heart Foundation explains that it usually manifests as pain radiating down the left side of your body and into your arm.
4. Dizziness. According to Health.com you should seek help if you suddenly feel particularly unsteady, and you don't think it is due to hunger, or standing up too fast. This can be a symptom of a sudden drop in blood pressure because your heart isn't working the way it should.
5. Pain in your throat or jaw. Similar to the arm pain, when related to heart health this pain should begin in the chest and radiate upwards and into your throat and/or jaw. If you have isolated jaw pain and no other symptoms, as well as low risk of heart disease, you probably don't need to worry - although heart attacks can occur without any chest pain, according to MedicineNet.
6. Sudden fatigue or exhaustion. If you're finding yourself suddenly exhausted by tasks you've previously had no problem with - such as carrying groceries from the car - you should make an appointment with your doctor to talk about heart health, according to Health.com. Shortness of breath, too, can be symptomatic of heart problems. If either of these issues come on suddenly and severely, they can be a sign of heart attack, especially in women.
7. Snoring. Normal snoring is okay, but severe snoring (gasping, choking, or extremely loud) can be a sign of sleep apnea, according to WebMD. Sleep apnea is a condition which causes people to stop breathing for short periods while asleep, and although sleep apnea in itself is not usually life threatening it can put a lot of extra strain on the heart. If you have sleep apnea as well as other risk factors such as obesity, you should chat with your doctor about ways to reduce your risk of heart attack.
8. Sweating. This is another common symptom of heart attack that goes hand in hand with chest tightness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. The Heart Foundation advises that if you are experiencing multiple symptoms and you've broken out in a cold sweat, you may be having a heart attack. It's important to note that these very same symptoms can signify a panic attack - which is very often confused with a heart attack while it's happening. If deep breaths and other common panic attack strategies do not work within the first minute or two, you need to seek immediate medical help.
9. Swollen feet. This symptom can indicate underlying heart issues, rather than actual heart attack. Health.com explains that when the heart can't pump fast enough, blood backs up in the veins and causes bloating. Heart failure can also make it harder for the kidneys to remove extra water and sodium from the body, which can lead to bloating. Swollen feet and ankles can be symptomatic of a number of serious conditions, so make an appointment with your doctor if this applies to you.
10. Irregular heartbeat. It's normal for your heartbeat to vary in speed, according to WebMD - this is how we get the oxygen we need when we are physically active, or excited, or even nervous. But if you often feel like your heart is skipping beats, or beating out of time, chat to your doctor.
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The best thing you can do is take preventative measures; maintain a healthy weight, diet and lifestyle, quit smoking, and see your doctor regularly for a quick check-up. However, it is also important to recognise the signs that your heart may be under stress, and it is vital that you recognise a heart attack. Heart attacks may feel different for everyone so it's useful to know about some of the less common symptoms. If it ever happens, you'll only have a few minutes to act.