7 signs your heart may need urgent attention
There isn’t a single checklist that can prove your heart is “in serious danger.” However, certain symptoms can signal heart attack, heart failure, or another cardiovascular problem and shouldn’t be ignored.
Chest pressure, squeezing, or discomfort — especially if it lasts several minutes or comes and goes.
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Shortness of breath — particularly if it’s new, worsening, or occurs with little activity.
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NHLBI, NIH
Pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen.
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Unexplained sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness, particularly alongside chest discomfort.
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Unusual or worsening fatigue or weakness — especially when accompanied by breathlessness or reduced exercise tolerance.
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NHLBI, NIH
New swelling in the ankles, legs, or abdomen or rapid unexplained weight gain, which can indicate fluid buildup associated with heart failure.
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NHLBI, NIH
Difficulty breathing when lying flat or waking up gasping for air. These can occur with heart failure.
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NHLBI, NIH
🚨 Don’t wait with possible heart-attack symptoms
If you have new chest pressure/pain, significant shortness of breath, faintness, cold sweating, or pain spreading to your arm, back, neck, or jaw, call your local emergency medical service immediately. Heart attacks can start mildly and symptoms can come and go.
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Don’t drive yourself to the hospital if emergency services are available; EMS can begin assessment and treatment while transporting you.
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Important: Symptoms alone can’t tell you exactly what is wrong with the heart. Persistent or progressively worsening symptoms deserve medical evaluation even when they’re not an emergency.
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