Signs and Symptoms of Heart Disease

Medically reviewed by Rafle Fernandez, MD

Heart disease is an umbrella term for a group of health conditions that affect the way the heart functions. These conditions include coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmia, heart attack, and heart failure, among others. It's possible to have more than one heart condition at a time.

Heart disease symptoms can vary depending on the specific condition you have. There are some symptoms that several conditions share, such as chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, weakness, and fatigue. You may not experience any symptoms at all, especially in the early stages of heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for males and females in the United States, so it's important to know the symptoms. Make sure to visit a healthcare provider if you start to notice changes in your health.

Related: Signs and Symptoms of Low Blood Pressure

Symptoms by Condition

Many heart conditions have some common signs of illness. You can experience different symptoms depending on the type of heart disease you have.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

CAD is the most common type of heart disease and occurs when there's a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. These blockages are called plaques.

Plaques are very small in the early stages. They can cause the arteries to become narrow as they get bigger, restricting blood flow to and from the heart. The process of narrowing arteries is called atherosclerosis.

CAD symptoms include:

• Angina, or pain and pressure in your chest, shoulders, neck, arms, stomach, and back

• Cold sweats

• Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or tired

• Nausea and vomiting

• Shortness of breath that worsens with physical activity

Infective Endocarditis (IE)

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the innermost layer of heart tissue. This layer includes the valves, blood vessels, and heart muscle. Having surgery, injecting certain drugs into your veins, and getting dental procedures can introduce bacteria into the blood that cause this type of infection.

IE symptoms include:

• Fatigue

• Fever and chills

• Joint pain

• Night sweats

• Rapid heart rate

• Swelling in the feet and legs

• Weight loss

Arrhythmia

You have an abnormal heart rhythm if you an arrhythmia. This means your heart beats too fast, too slow, or just irregularly. Some types of arrhythmias may not cause any symptoms at all. Others can be a medical emergency.

Symptoms of some arrhythmias include:

• Alternating slow and fast heart rates

• Anxiety

• Chest pain

• Fainting spells

• Fast heart rate (tachycardia)

• Feeling weak, dizzy, or lightheaded

• Palpitations, or a racing or skipping heartbeat

• Shortness of breath

• Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

• Sweating

Heart Failure

Heart failure happens if your heart is not able to pump enough blood that your body needs. This serious condition often requires medical attention, but it does not mean that your heart has stopped beating.

Heart failure symptoms include:

• Confusion or cloudy thinking

• Coughing or wheezing that won't go away

• Fatigue

• Feeling nauseous

• Fluid or water retention that causes swelling in the hands and feet (edema)

• Lack of appetite

• Rapid heart rate

• Shortness of breath that worsens when lying down or exerting yourself

Heart Valve Disease

There are three primary kinds of valve problems:

• Atresia: The valve is not constructed properly, leaving no open space for blood to flow

• Regurgitation: The valve does not close properly, causing blood to leak and flow backward

• Stenosis: The valve becomes stiff and does not open wide enough for proper blood flow

The heart typically has four valves that keep blood flowing in the right direction. Symptoms can differ based on what valve is not working properly.

Symptoms of valve-related heart conditions include:

• Chest pain

• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

• Feeling too tired to complete regular activities

• Irregular heartbeat

• Shortness of breath

• Swollen ankles or stomach

Pericarditis

The pericardium is a tough membrane that surrounds the heart. You can develop a condition called pericarditis if the membrane becomes damaged.

Pericarditis symptoms include:

• Coughing or wheezing

• Fever

• Heart palpitations

• Low blood pressure

• Stabbing chest pain that worsens when taking deep breaths

• Swelling in the stomach, legs, ankles, or feet

• Trouble breathing

• Weakness

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy affects the heart muscles and causes the heart muscle to become enlarged. The heart muscle can have difficulty pumping blood to major organs and other parts of the body.

Cardiomyopathy symptoms include:

• Arrhythmia

• Chest pain

• Dizziness and lightheadedness

• Fainting spells that can happen during physical activity

• Fatigue

• Heart murmur, or an atypical sound of your heartbeat

• Shortness of breath, especially with activity or exercise

• Swelling in your legs, ankles, and feet

Congenital Heart Defect

A congenital heart defect is the most common type of birth defect and affects newborns. The condition usually occurs due to a problem with development during pregnancy. Symptoms can change as you age.

Congenital heart defect symptoms generally include:

• A blue color in the lips, fingernails, or skin tone

• Feeling very tired, which can worsen during physical activity

• Heart murmur

• Poor blood circulation

• Trouble breathing and shortness of breath

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when the arteries that carry blood from your heart to other parts of the body become narrow. PAD symptoms include:

• Leg pain that persists when you are resting

• Muscle cramps in your hips, thighs, and calves that worsen with physical activity

• Skin that's cold to the touch

• Toes or feet that appear discolored or darkened

• Wounds in your feet that don't heal

Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to your lungs. Symptoms include:

• Chest pain

• Difficulty breathing that worsens with physical activity

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Heart palpitations

• Retaining fluids in the abdomen or arms and legs

Cerebrovascular Disease (Stroke)

Cerebrovascular disease affects blood flow between the heart and brain. This condition is commonly referred to as a stroke. Any damage to the blood vessels between the heart and brain can reduce blood flow and lead to life-threatening complications.

Symptoms of a stroke include:

• Difficulty seeing

• Dizziness

• Feeling disoriented or experiencing memory loss

• Lack of coordination or loss of balance

• Nausea or vomiting

• Numbness on one side of the body

• Slurred speech

How To Recognize a Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention from a healthcare provider. An easy acronym to spot if someone is having a stroke and identify the next steps is "FAST":

• F: Face drooping, an uneven smile, or numbness on one side of the face

• A: Arm weakness on one side

• S: Speech difficulty, including slurred speech, confusion, and difficulty finding words

• T: Time to call 911 if you notice the above three symptoms
  

Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)

Myocardial infarction is the clinical term for a heart attack. This condition causes the damage or death of a part of the heart muscle. A heart attack happens due to a lack of blood flow to the heart, which can limit the heart from getting the right amount of oxygen to function.

Heart attack symptoms include:

• Chest pain

• Cold sweats

• Discomfort in your arms, back, neck, or stomach

• Feeling lightheaded

• Nausea or vomiting

• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

A heart attack is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention from a healthcare provider. You can receive proper care by calling 911.

When To Contact a Healthcare Provider

Heart disease symptoms can often mimic other health conditions. It's good practice to visit a healthcare provider if you notice changes in your heart health or have any of the above symptoms. Consider testing if someone in your family has a history of heart disease, which can run in families.

A healthcare provider may order a variety of blood, imaging, and laboratory tests to check heart function. Getting tested for heart disease may seem scary, but it's best to receive an early diagnosis to improve your overall quality of life and prevent complications.

Related: Signs and Symptoms of Myocarditis

A Quick Review

Heart disease encompasses several types of conditions that affect heart function. Many conditions have some symptoms in common: chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, or a fast heartbeat. Symptoms can also vary depending on the specific heart condition that you have.

Make an appointment with a healthcare provider to get tested if you have classic signs of a heart condition. Call 911 right away if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, which are medical emergencies.

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