Knowing Heart Disease Symptoms

Knowing heart disease symptoms may save your life and possibly someone else's life. Your heart has the most important function of pumping blood throughout your body. Without it you can't live. Ensuring that it is in good shape and functional must be a priority.

Sometimes one heart disease or another may creep up on you. Being able to identify a heart disease symptom will save your life.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Heart disease symptoms that signal a heart attack are easier to read than the symptoms of other heart diseases but they can be confusing. Know the following symptoms and discuss them with your doctor if you are not sure about any of them if you are at risk, and, if for no other reason, to be prepared.

Pain, fullness and/or squeezing sensation of the chest
Arm pain - more commonly left arm but sometimes the right arm as well
Jaw pain, toothache, headache
Nausea, vomiting and/or general upper middle abdomen discomfort
Shortness of breath
Sweating profusely
Heartburn and/or indigestion
Upper back pain
General feeling of being unwell

Sometimes more than one of these symptoms will occur at the same time and sometimes none will be evident at all. There is no way to predict what symptoms any one person will experience. The important thing is to know these symptoms and get immediate help if you or someone else experiences them. Even though it may lead to a false alarm, don't ignore them. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease symptoms are quite similar and immediate action is also required. Pay close attention to angina or chest pain - The most common symptom related to coronary heart disease. The intensity of the pain may vary from person to person.

Shortness of breathe is also a symptom of coronary heart disease. It's the usual symptom of congestive heart failure. The heart is very weak because of a lack of blood and oxygen. Possibly a past heart attack has left the heart weakened.

When In Doubt