Heart Disease Symptoms

Heart diseases have grown by leaps and bounds in the recent years, with many people falling prey to them. These days, people exert themselves in a lot of work tensions and the resultant stress is one of the major factors behind heart disease. Though stress forms the primary cause for a heart disease, faulty eating habits and sedentary lifestyle also lead to heart problems.. Read on to find the signs and symptoms for the various heart diseases.

Symptoms for Coronary Heart Disease

Angina is the most common symptom. It can be described as discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning or fullness of the chest. It is usually felt in the chest but can also be felt on the shoulder, arms, neck, throat, jaw or back.
Shortness of breath
Palpitations (irregular heart beats, skipped beats or a "flip-flop" feeling in your chest)
A faster heartbeat
Weakness or dizziness
Nausea
Sweating

Symptoms for Heart Attack (Myocardial Infraction or MI)

Discomfort, pressure, heaviness, or pain in the chest, arm or below the breastbone
Discomfort radiating to the back, jaw, throat or arm
Fullness, indigestion or choking feeling (may feel like heartburn)
Sweating, nausea, vomiting or dizziness
Extreme weakness, anxiety or shortness of breath
Rapid or irregular heartbeats

Symptoms for Arrhythmias

Palpitations (a feeling of skipped heart beats, fluttering or "flip-flops," or feeling that your heart is "running away").
Pounding in your chest.
Dizziness or feeling light-headed.
Fainting.
Shortness of breath.
Chest discomfort.
Weakness or fatigue (feeling very tired).

Symptoms for Atrial Fibrillation

Heart palpitations (a sudden pounding, fluttering, or racing feeling in the heart).
Lack of energy; tired.
Dizziness (feeling faint or light-headed).
Chest discomfort (pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest).
Shortness of breath (difficult breathing during activities of daily living).

Symptoms for Heart Valve Disease

Shortness of breath and/or difficulty catching your breath. It may be more profound when you are active (doing your normal daily activities) or when you lie down flat in bed.
Weakness or dizziness.
Discomfort in your chest. You may feel a pressure or weight in your chest with activity or when going out in cold air.
Palpitations (this may feel like a rapid heart rhythm, irregular heartbeat, skipped beats or a flip-flop feeling in your chest).

If valve disease causes heart failure, symptoms may include:

Swelling of your ankles, feet or abdomen. Swelling may also occur in your belly, which may cause you to feel bloated.
Quick weight gain (a weight gain of two or three pounds in one day is possible).

Symptoms for Heart Failure

Shortness of breath noted during activity (most commonly) or at rest, especially when you lie down flat in bed.
Cough that produces white mucus.
Quick weight gain (a weight gain of two or three pounds in one day is possible).
Swelling in ankles, legs and abdomen.
Dizziness.
Fatigue and weakness.
Rapid or irregular heartbeats.
Other symptoms include nausea, palpitations and chest pain.

Symptoms for Congenital Heart Disease

For adults, the symptoms are:

Shortness of breath.
Limited ability to exercise.
Symptoms of heart failure and valve diseases are also present

For infants and children, the symptoms include

Cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, fingernails and lips).
Fast breathing and poor feeding.
Poor weight gain.
Recurrent lung infections.
Inability to exercise.

How to Cite

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