There are a wide variety of symptoms that an individual may experience when suffering from a heart condition. However, a symptom alone cannot truly determine that an individual is afflicted with heart disease but may still aid in the discovery of such an underlying condition. When a person is affected by several of the symptoms associated with heart disease it increases the overall success of identifying and diagnosing the condition. Once presented with any of these symptoms it is vital to seek medical advice and treatment to avoid developing possible complications. Certain tests will be carried out to confirm a diagnosis of a heart condition once symptoms are present. It is also not irregular for a practitioner to recommend testing and screening during routine visits for older patients even when there are no apparent symptoms of heart disease. This is beneficial to any individual who is at an elevated risk for heart disease as it is possible to be affected and continue being asymptomatic for years.

Heart disease may possibly manifest with symptoms such as: fatigue; specific types of pain; fainting; swelling of the legs, feet and ankles; heart palpitations; shortness of breath and lightheadedness. Because the symptoms are not exclusive to heart disease it could be indicative of another condition. For instance, it is possible to be affected by a symptom such as chest pain yet it may be connected to a digestive or respiratory condition instead. Generally, it is still important especially for persons over a particular age (usually 40+) to be wary of these symptoms and seek medical advice when necessary.

Chest Pain

This is considered one of the primary indications of probable heart disease. This type of pain may be centralised in the chest area but may be felt in the upper abdomen, the jaw, shoulders and arms. The resultant pain is often depicted as gas, aching, burning, pressure or piercing.

• A heart attack
• Aortic dissection (separation of the layers of the walls of the aorta)
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
• Oesophageal rupture
• Tension pneumothorax (where a lung collapses and restricts blood flow to the heart)
• Ischaemia (where the heart is not being fed a sufficient supply of blood)
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• Pericarditis (inflammation of the heart sac)
• Pneumonia
• Some cancers
• Mitral Valve Prolapse (where the left ventricle pushes against the left atrium while it contracts, the pain is usually cutting and short-lived).
• Costochondritis (inflammation of the rib cartilage)
• Peptic Ulcer
• Pleuritis (inflammation of the outer membranes of the lungs)
• Strained chest muscle from possible exertion during physical activity

Gallbladder disease
Acid reflux disease

The type of chest pain will indicate the possible heart related disorder. If tightness is experienced in the chest area while engaging in physical activity but is alleviated upon resting, this may be demonstrative of angina. Angina develops when the blood supply to the heart is insufficient. An acute pain that is exacerbated when an individual lies down or inhales vigorously but is reduced upon sitting up and slanting the body forward without being related to physical exertion likely denotes pericarditis. Pain derived from deep inhalation may also be contributed to pleuritis. An unexpected severe pain that is felt in the back of the neck directly between the shoulder blades extending toward the back, or that radiates from the abdomen relatively swiftly is suggestive of aortic dissection.

Because there is a similarity between the symptoms of chest pain in both life threatening and benign conditions it is subsequently essential that tests be carried out on individuals affected by most or all kinds of chest pains. The types of test performed will be determined by the results of initial physical examination, general appearance of health, the quantity and severity of symptoms, risk factors and age. The most routine tests performed in most instances are chest x-ray, ECG or electrocardiogram and measuring oxygen levels with a pulse oximetry.

Shortness of Breath

This symptom is largely due to some form of cardiac (heart) or pulmonary (lung) disorder. It is typically associated with heart failure and coronary artery disease. It may also materialize after physical activity or when laying with the back flat on a surface. It may also interrupt sleep, leaving the sufferer struggling to breath when awoken by the immediacy of the symptom. This condition is classified as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. It may also be indicative of valvular heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias or pericardial disease.

Many lung conditions may result in shortness of breath inclusive of asthma, bronchitis, pleural effusion and emphysema. In instances where the reason for shortness of breath is associated with the lungs it may be easier to identify if accompanied by other symptoms. For example if it is combined with a fever this may be a probable lung infection. If it commences after an individual is subjected to an environmental irritant like cat hair and pollen. then it is most likely caused by asthma or an allergic reaction.

If the reason for shortness of breath is not easily determine,d tests will be carried out which will generally include a ECG (electrocardiogram), chest x-ray and measuring oxygen levels with a pulse oximetry.

Heart Palpitations

Heart palpitations are recognized when an individual develops a heightened awareness of the heartbeat and is a prevalent symptom of heart disease. These palpations are characterized by sensations of skipping a heartbeat distinguished by a slight pause proceeded by a vigorous beat and also by the periodic quickening of or irregularity of heartbeats. Persons who experience this symptom are very likely to be affected by some type of cardiac arrhythmia. The most common forms of arrhythmia that are associated with palpitations are PACs or premature atrial complexes, episodes of either atrial fibrillation or SVT supraventricular tachycardia and PVCs premature ventricular complexes.

Persons who occasionally suffer from heart palpitations should always seek medical attention to rule out a potentially life threatening form of arrhythmia.

Swelling of the Legs

Any swelling in the limbs is as a result of fluid retention or oedema within the tissues. The symptom presents itself when pressure is increased in the leg veins due to poor circulation of the blood which then pushes fluid into the surrounding tissue. This accumulation of blood may occur because of the hearts inability to pump the blood throughout the body effectively as seen in heart failure or because a vein within the leg is blocked as seen in deep vein thrombosis.

Swelling is not always a symptom of heart disease or any significantly serious condition and may result from standing or sitting in an unchanged position for prolonged periods, pregnancy, and natural age related changes that may occur in the leg veins. In some instances it may be linked to possible kidney or liver disorders.

Other changes may accompany swelling most notably skin colour changes and numbness in the leg.

If swelling occurs suddenly for an unknown reason it is best to seek the advice of a medical doctor to eliminate any potentially dangerous condition.

Fatigue

Feeling more tired than usual is a relatively common symptom. Fatigue is characterized by a reduction in overall ability to function at an individual’s regular pace. The manifestation of fatigue may result in narcolepsy that is characterized by uncontrollable bouts of sleeping. Fatigue is not uncommon to other disorders and for that reason a person experiencing extreme tiredness will need to visit a doctor to determine the exact reason for it.

Dizziness or Lightheadedness

Dizziness and lightheadedness is not specific to heart disease and can be related to: dehydration, anaemia (low blood count levels) and other possible blood disorders, dehydration, prolonged bed rest, diabetes, viral based illnesses, neurological disorders, kidney disease, thyroid disease, liver disease, vascular disease, vasovagal episodes, cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure. It is therefore necessary to seek medical attention when experiencing dizziness or lightheadedness to rule out the possibility of a grave underlying condition.

Syncope

Syncope is characterized by an unexpected loss of conciousness or fainting. This is a fairly normal occurrence that does not necessarily denote any serious medical issue. It does have the potential in some cases to indicate a harmful condition therefore it is still advisable to seek medical attention if an instance of fainting occurs. The causes of syncope are categorized as metabolic, neurological, cardiac and vasomotor. Of the four types of syncope cardiac syncope is perhaps the most dangerous as it is more likely to cause unforseen death.

In all cases where a symptom manifests itself in an otherwise healthy individual it is still advisable to seek the opinion of a medical practitioner. Having no known risk for heart disease does not necessarily eliminate the probability of developing a form of the disease. It is best to exercise needed vigilance when faced with any symptom(s) that could indicate heart disease or any other serious medical condition.