Heart Health: 5 Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Some heart-related symptoms can be subtle, while others require immediate medical attention. Five important warning signs include:
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Chest pressure, squeezing, or discomfort — especially if it lasts several minutes or comes and goes.
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Shortness of breath — with or without chest discomfort, particularly if it occurs suddenly or with minimal activity.
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Pain or discomfort spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen — this can occur during a heart attack.
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Sudden sweating, nausea, or unusual weakness — particularly when occurring together with chest discomfort or breathlessness.
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Fainting, severe dizziness, or a rapid/irregular heartbeat — especially if new or accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath.
🚨 When it’s an emergency
If you have new or severe chest pain/pressure, difficulty breathing, fainting, or symptoms suggestive of a heart attack, seek emergency medical care immediately rather than waiting for the symptoms to disappear.
Heart attacks don’t always look like dramatic chest pain; symptoms can be less typical, particularly in women and older adults.
