This Seemingly Harmless Symptom Could Mean You Need to See a Cardiologist

Emily Laurence
·4 min read
10

Woman experiencing chest discomfort

It’s safe to say that most people don’t like going to the doctor. There are likely other ways you want to spend your time and, on top of that, it can be nerve-wracking to wonder if there’s something wrong with you.

Certainly, you don’t want to go to the doctor for every little health question, but when it comes to your heart, you can’t be careful enough. In fact, there’s one symptom that many people dismiss that cardiologists wish would be taken more seriously.

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The Seemingly Harmless Symptom You Should See a Cardiologist About

Dr. Shannon Winakur, MD, a cardiologist at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, says that one symptom many people don’t take seriously enough is chest discomfort.

Often, Dr. Winakur says, chest discomfort is confused as indigestion, when it could actually be a symptom of heart disease. “I have had patients and family members believe they were experiencing ‘indigestion,’ only to be diagnosed with a heart attack after seeking medical attention for their symptoms,” Dr. Winakur explains.

She adds that, unfortunately, patients don’t always survive these “hidden heart attacks,” which is why it’s always best to be safe and reach out to your healthcare provider when you feel like something’s wrong.

“Chest discomfort is a classic symptom of heart disease, resulting from blockages in the heart’s arteries,” Dr. Winakur explains. Because of this, she says if it’s something you are experiencing, you should see your primary healthcare provider for a medical assessment. Then, your doctor can refer you to a cardiologist, if needed.

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Dr. Winakur recommends seeing a primary healthcare provider first as opposed to seeing a cardiologist straight away because there are many different causes of chest discomfort, including gastrointestinal or musculoskeletal issues. However, if your discomfort occurs with exertion and goes away with rest, Dr. Winakur says that can be an important indicator that the pain is signaling a heart problem, so it may be a good idea to see a cardiologist.

“This is especially important—and recommended—if you have cardiac risk factors, including age [over 45 for men or over 55 for women], high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, any history of smoking or a family history of premature coronary disease or sudden death,” she says.

Dr. Winakur adds that other risk factors to consider are whether you've had treatment for cancer (including radiation to the chest and certain chemotherapies), autoimmune diseases, a history of trauma or abuse in childhood or pregnancy-related conditions including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, multiple miscarriages or stillbirth.

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What to Expect From the Doctor’s Appointment

If you do see a cardiologist about chest discomfort, Dr. Winakur says that you can expect the doctor to ask about your symptoms and medical and family history, as well as do a physical exam. She says the doctor will likely check your blood pressure, weight and heart rate, as well as do a 12-lead EKG test, which reads heart rate and rhythm.

Depending on one’s symptoms, Dr. Winakur says the doctor may recommend further testing, such as a stress test (which is a way to check for any heart artery blockages), a cardiac ultrasound (also known as an echocardiogram and is a way to evaluate heart structure and muscle and valve function), further EKG monitoring or additional blood tests.

To best support your heart health, Dr. Winakur encourages being proactive, which she says you can do by knowing what your blood pressure, weight and cholesterol numbers are and seeing a preventive cardiologist if there is any cause for concern. “Know that you’ve got the power. There is much you can do to decrease your risk of developing heart disease, or of having a heart attack or a stroke,” she says, explaining that this includes not smoking, maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

No one knows your body better than you. If something feels “off,” take it seriously and see your doctor. Often, being proactive is the best treatment of all.

Next up, this is the number one sign of a healthy heart, according to cardiologists.

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