The headline “Five silent signs that warn you about the state of your heart” refers to symptoms that can sometimes indicate heart disease. While some heart conditions develop without obvious symptoms, these signs are not specific to heart disease and can have many other causes.
Five warning signs that deserve attention include:
- Unusual shortness of breath
- Especially during activities that used to be easy or when lying flat.
- Persistent fatigue
- Feeling unusually tired for days or weeks without a clear reason, particularly if it limits normal activities.
- Chest discomfort
- Pressure, tightness, heaviness, or pain in the chest. Some people, especially women, older adults, and people with diabetes, may have less typical symptoms.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- This can occur when the heart is not pumping effectively, but it can also have other causes.
- Palpitations or an irregular heartbeat
- Feeling like your heart is racing, fluttering, or skipping beats, especially if accompanied by dizziness or fainting.
When to seek emergency care
Call your local emergency services immediately if you or someone else has:
- Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes or recurring
- Chest discomfort that spreads to the arm, shoulder, jaw, neck, or back
- Severe shortness of breath
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Cold sweat, nausea, or sudden unexplained weakness along with chest symptoms
Protecting heart health
You can reduce your risk of heart disease by:
- Not smoking
- Staying physically active
- Eating a balanced diet
- Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar
- Getting adequate sleep
- Following prescribed treatments for existing medical conditions
Many of these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than heart disease, but new, persistent, or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional, especially if you have risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease.
