Heart or cardiac problems may cause a variety of symptoms depending on the actual area of the heart affected by disease or damage. You may feel different symptoms from a heart attack than symptoms of congestive heart failure or a blocked or malfunctioning heart valve. Understanding symptoms of cardiac issues may help you identify problems early rather than later, which may very well save your life.
Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure
• Irregular, rapid heartbeat
• Fatigue and weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the feet and ankles
• Weight gain due to fluid retention
• Anxiety
Symptoms of a Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
• Chest pain such as a squeezing or crushing feeling
• Pain in the upper left arm or shoulder
• Jaw or neck pain, pain between the shoulder blades
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety
• Sweating
• Dizziness
Symptoms of a Blocked Valve (such as Atrioventricular Block)
• Slow, irregular heartbeat
• Acute attacks of dizziness, confusion or weakness
• Loss of consciousness
• Some people are asymptomatic, meaning they won't feel symptoms at all
Symptoms of Heart Valve Disease
• Fatigue and weakness
• Chest pain
• Dizziness and/or fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Heart rhythm anomalies
• Congestion of the lungs
Symptoms of Heart Rhythm Irregularities [such as Arrhythmia (fast heart rate) or Tachycardia (slowed heart rate)
• Fluttering sensation in the chest (arrhythmia)
• Anxiety
• Shortness of breath
• Pounding in the chest (tachycardia)
• Coughing
• Dizziness
