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HEART HEALTH

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Disease?

From chest pain to shortness of breath, from palpitations to swelling in the legs, we explain the symptoms that may be associated with heart disease — helping you understand when you need to take them seriously.

URGENT ASSESSMENT

If the following symptoms appear suddenly and severely, seek emergency medical help without delay

Chest pain that starts suddenly, involves a feeling of pressure or tightness, and lasts longer than 10 minutes; chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath; loss of consciousness or fainting; chest pain accompanied by cold sweating; sudden pain radiating to the jaw, left arm, or back — in this situation, go to the nearest emergency department or call emergency medical services. This page is not an emergency guide; it is for general information purposes only.
MAIN SYMPTOMS

Main Symptoms That May Be Seen in Heart Disease

The symptoms below do not, on their own, indicate a diagnosis of heart disease; many of them can also occur for other reasons. The aim is to help you understand which symptoms should prompt you to seek a cardiology assessment.

Chest Pain, Pressure, Tightness

A feeling of heaviness, pressure, or tightness in the chest; may ease with rest or may persist.

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath felt on exertion or sometimes at rest.

Difficulty with Exertion, Getting Tired Easily

Sudden fatigue or a decrease in exertion capacity during activities that were previously done comfortably.

Palpitations

Feeling the heartbeat as fast, irregular, or forceful.

Dizziness

Sudden dizziness or a feeling of imbalance.

Fainting

Brief loss of consciousness or a fainting sensation (syncope).

Swelling in the Feet

Swelling in the ankles and legs that increases over the course of the day.

Cold Sweating

Unexplained, sudden cold sweating.

Pain Radiating to the Jaw

A feeling of discomfort radiating from the chest to the jaw.

Pain Radiating to the Arm

Pain radiating usually to the left arm, sometimes to both arms.

Pain Radiating to the Back

Pain radiating from the chest to the back or between the shoulder blades.
SPECIAL CASES

Symptoms Do Not Always Appear the Same Way

Different Symptoms in Women

In women, chest pain may not be prominent; instead, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, or back/jaw pain may be more prominent. This difference can sometimes lead to a delay in diagnosis.

Silent Symptoms in People with Diabetes

Nerve damage caused by diabetes can reduce the sensation of chest pain. For this reason, heart disease can progress in people with diabetes even without noticeable pain.

Heart Disease That Progresses Without Symptoms

Some heart conditions can progress for a long time without symptoms. For more information on this topic, you can visit our Silent Heart Disease page.
THE RIGHT STEP

What Should You Do If You Are Experiencing These Symptoms?

Experiencing one or more of the symptoms above does not, on its own, mean that you need a specific treatment. The right step is to be examined by a cardiology specialist and, if necessary, evaluated with tests such as an ECG, exercise stress test, or echocardiography. The cause of your symptoms may be angina, coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, heart valve disease, or a condition unrelated to the heart — this will be determined by your current test results and examination findings.

If you are experiencing a decrease in exertion capacity or shortness of breath, you can find topic-specific information on our Shortness of Breath and Fatigue and Weakness pages. To learn about our cardiology team, you can visit the Our Doctor page.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Disease Symptoms

I have chest pain — is this definitely related to my heart?

No. Chest pain can have many causes related to the musculoskeletal system, acid reflux, the lungs, or anxiety. However, chest pain that is new in onset, increases with exertion, or is accompanied by a feeling of pressure should always be evaluated by a doctor.

If my symptoms are mild, should I still see a doctor?

Yes. Some heart conditions can present with mild or intermittent symptoms. The severity of symptoms is not always directly proportional to the seriousness of the underlying condition.

If I have one of these symptoms, should I go straight to EECP treatment?

No. Your symptoms should first be assessed by a cardiology specialist, the diagnosis should be clarified, and an appropriate treatment plan should be determined. EECP is an option that may only come up after this assessment and in certain clinical situations.

Am I at risk if I have a family history?

A family history of early-onset heart disease is one of the factors taken into account in personal risk assessment. Sharing this with your cardiologist contributes to the assessment.

The Right Step for Your Symptoms: A Cardiology Assessment

If you have concerns about your heart health, the first step is an examination and assessment by our cardiology team.

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