Signs Your Heart May Need Attention
Some symptoms can indicate a heart or circulation problem, although no single symptom proves that your heart is unhealthy. Pay particular attention to new, persistent, or worsening symptoms.
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Chest pressure, squeezing, or discomfort — especially during activity or accompanied by other symptoms.
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Shortness of breath — with exertion, at rest, or when lying down.
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Unusual fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance — especially when it’s a new change.
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Swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs — particularly if it is persistent or accompanied by breathlessness.
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Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat — especially with dizziness, weakness, or fainting.
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Dizziness or fainting — particularly during exercise or together with chest symptoms.
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Pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw — which can occur with a heart attack.
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Persistent cough or wheezing — particularly when accompanied by breathlessness or leg swelling.
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Sudden cold sweating, nausea, or unexplained weakness — these can sometimes accompany a heart attack.
🚨 Know when it’s an emergency
If you have new chest pressure/pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or chest discomfort with sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw, call your local emergency service immediately.
Heart attacks don’t always cause dramatic chest pain, and symptoms can vary between people. Don’t wait for symptoms to become severe before seeking help.
For recurring but less urgent symptoms, a clinician can check your blood pressure, heart rhythm, cholesterol, and other possible causes.
