10 Heart Warning Signs You Shouldn't Ignore
Your heart health is too important to risk. Watch out for these warning signs; they could point to a cardiovascular problem that may need immediate treatment by an experienced physician.
- Chest Pain: A pressing, squeezing pain in the center of the chest could be a sign of a heart attack. The pain may come and go, or it may last more than a few minutes at a time.
Action: Call 911.
- Sudden Weakness or Numbness on One Side of Your Body: This can take place during a stroke, when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. You may have a numb or weak feeling in your arm, leg or face. Temporary symptoms could be the mark of a ministroke, or transient ischemic attack. Take symptoms seriously even if the numbness or weakness goes away after a few minutes.
Action: Call 911.
- Shortness of Breath: You may feel like you can't get enough air right before, or during, the chest pain caused by a heart attack. Trouble breathing-especially when you're active or when you're lying down-also could mean a heart valve problem.
Action: Call 911.
- Severe Headache: Having the "worst headache of your life" can indicate a stroke or leaking of a brain aneurysm. A brain aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel bulges, pressing on nerves in the brain.
Action: Call 911.
- Pain in Your Back or Abdomen: The wall of an artery in the abdomen can stretch and bulge out, causing intense pain in your torso. This is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm and needs to be treated immediately. Back and abdominal pain also can happen during a heart attack.
Action: Call 911.
- Unusual Tiredness: Severe, unexplained fatigue may mean that one of your heart's valves isn't working properly. It also can signal a heart attack.
Action: Call 911 or go to the emergency department.
- Swelling: Swollen feet, ankles and legs can be a sign that the heart isn't pumping blood as well as it should.
Action: Call your doctor right away.
- Leg Cramps: Aching or cramping in the thighs, calves or feet-especially during activity-is a symptom of peripheral arterial disease [PAD]. With PAD, narrow blood vessels don't allow muscles to get enough oxygen.
Action: Call your doctor right away.
- Dizziness: You may suddenly become light-headed during a stroke or heart attack. If so, it's an emergency that needs to be treated right away. If you often feel dizzy, you may have an arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm.
Action: Call 911.
- Rapid Heartbeat: Feeling your heart race or "flutter" could be the sign of an arrhythmia. A quick heartbeat could be serious if you have other symptoms, such as dizziness or shortness of breath.
Action: Call 911.
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