Over one million people experience a heart attack each year. Some of the most common symptoms include chest pain, cold sweats, and weakness, but there are subtle signs that you could be having a heart attack. If you experience any of the following symptoms, see your cardiologist or go to the ER immediately. Situated in Canfield, Ohio, Dr. Allen Amorn claims that detecting the signs of a heart attack and seeking treatment could save your life.
Fatigue
It may seem strange, but fatigue is one of the most common signs of heart disease. Most patients report feeling exhausted and not being able to do their daily activities. This is common during a heart attack when the blood flow is decreased to the heart, stressing out the muscle, which can make you feel tired. Ask your cardiologist for an electrocardiogram (EKG), which monitors your heart activity.
Soreness in the Arms, Back, or Chest
Pain and soreness in the arms, back, or chest area is often a sign of a silent heart attack. When the heart muscles run out of oxygen due to a blocked artery that prevents the oxygenated blood from entering those muscles, it alerts the other parts of your body. Your nervous system may confuse these signs with pain stemming from the arm, elbow, neck, shoulder, or upper back due to the nerve proximity.
Since the pain isn’t accompanied by chest pain that’s often associated with a heart attack, patients frequently ignore these symptoms. Some of them experience soreness during or after a workout, so they ignore it. If this symptom is new, then you see your cardiologist as soon as possible.
Swollen Ankles or Legs
Swelling is a common sign of heart disease. While swollen ankles and legs can be a result from numerous things, it’s also sometimes caused by an issue with a heart valve. This buildup of fluids is often linked to congestive heart failure, which occurs when your heart can’t process blood efficiently. Ignoring this type of swelling can be serious and may signal that it’s time to see your cardiologist.
Headaches
It’s not just another headache. Severe headaches and migraines could be a sign of a blood clot or stroke. While most headaches aren’t signs of heart problems, you may experience it alongside dizziness, fatigue, and stiffness in the neck area. These could be signs of an aneurysm that needs to be addressed right away.
Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort is the most recognized sign associated with heart disease. If you’re experiencing a heart attack or if you have a blocked artery, you could experience pain, pressure, or tightness in your chest. This feeling is different for each patient. Some refer to it as an elephant sitting on their chest. Other people describe it as a burning or pinching feeling.
This feeling could last several minutes, or it could last several hours. It could happen when you’re resting or when you’re doing physical labor. Oftentimes, it’s a brief pain that comes on. If you’re experiencing brief chest discomfort, then it may not be related to your heart.
You should still see your cardiologist. If these symptoms don’t let up after a few minutes, then you should call 911. You can experience a heart attack without having chest pain. This is the reason why heart disease is referred to as a silent killer.
Heartburn, Indigestion, Nausea, or Stomach Pain
Some patients may experience a combination of these symptoms during a heart attack. Some of them may experience such strong symptoms that they may end up vomiting. These signs are more common in women than men.
There could be several reasons why you have a stomach ache that’s not related to your heart. It could be a reaction to something you ate. But you should also know that these are common signs and symptoms of a heart problem. If you experience any of these symptoms and you have a history of heart problems, speak with your cardiologist right away. It’s important to determine the cause of the problem before it’s too late.
Persistent Snoring and Sleep Problems
Sleep problems and snoring are often linked to insomnia and sleep apnea. Insomnia is a sleep disorder in which an individual has trouble falling or staying asleep. Sleep apnea is another sleep disorder in which your breathing is regularly disrupted while sleeping. Sleep apnea is linked to obesity which is a major factor of heart disease. Sleep apnea happens when the weight blocks the flow of air to the upper chest and neck. This can also lead to an anxious sleep pattern. Once this sleep disorder is corrected and treated by your doctor, you’ll experience a drop in your blood pressure levels. Both of these disorders are related to cardiovascular problems and heart disease.
Dizziness and Lightheadedness
Experiencing dizziness and lightheadedness can mean that blood flow has been blocked from entering your brain. This can be a warning sign of heart attack and stroke. Dizziness and lightheadedness are often linked to fainting and can be caused by a decrease in blood pressure levels. This feeling often happens after you stand up quickly, which is extremely common among patients with heart disease.
Dr. Allen Amorn is an electrophysiologist who resides in Poland, Ohio. He has been affiliated with Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital and Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. After Allen Amorn earned his degree at Northeast Ohio Medical University, he’s worked as a physician for the last 15 years.