7 signs your heart may need urgent attention
The headline is a little misleading: there isn’t a fixed list of seven symptoms that proves your heart is in “serious danger.” However, certain symptoms can signal a heart attack or another significant cardiovascular problem and should not be ignored.
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Chest pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain — especially if it lasts several minutes or comes and goes.
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Shortness of breath — with or without chest discomfort.
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Pain or discomfort spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen.
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Cold sweating without an obvious reason.
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Sudden nausea or vomiting, particularly when combined with other symptoms.
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Unusual dizziness, weakness, or feeling faint.
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Unexplained or unusual fatigue, especially when it is new or occurs with exertion. professional.heart.org+1
Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may sometimes have less obvious symptoms, such as nausea, unusual tiredness, shortness of breath, or back/jaw discomfort, rather than dramatic chest pain. professional.heart.org+1
🚨 Don’t wait if these symptoms occur
If you have new chest discomfort, significant breathing difficulty, fainting, or symptoms suggesting a heart attack, call your local emergency service immediately. Don’t drive yourself if emergency medical transport is available. professional.heart.org+1
Bottom line: These symptoms don’t automatically mean a heart attack, but they can be emergencies. It’s safer to have potentially serious symptoms assessed promptly than to wait for them to become severe.
