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Manhattan Cardiology
It’s more than just chest pain.

Contrary to popular opinion, not all heart attacks involve the patient gripping their chest and writhing in agony from start to finish. In fact, you should be aware of more types of cardiac illness than just heart attacks.

heart disease heart attack

Learning about all of the signs and symptoms, not just the ones you see and hear about in entertainment and online, is the best thing you can do for your family (and yourself) in the fight to prevent heart disease.

Lesser-known symptoms of heart disease

Heart disease can present itself in a variety of ways, and some of the symptoms can be quite subtle and easy to overlook. Some lesser-known symptoms of heart disease include:

  • Constantly feeling fatigued, even after a restful night’s sleep, may indicate heart problems.
  • Swollen ankles or feet may indicate heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to adequately pump blood.
  • Even though shortness of breath is a common sign of heart disease, it is sometimes disregarded or attributed to other conditions.
  • Nausea and vomiting can be a sign of a heart attack, especially in women.
  • A heart attack may be indicated by pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or throat. The vagus nerve, which travels from the brain to many various regions of the body, including the heart and jaw, is where this symptom appears.
  • An irregular heartbeat can be a sign of an arrhythmia, a condition in which the heart beats too fast, too slow, or irregularly.
  • Women who report abdominal pain are misdiagnosed as much as 50% of the time with acid reflux or other digestive disorder — when, in fact, their discomfort is a sign of a heart attack.
  • Sweating while not exerting oneself or sweating accompanied by chest pain could be symptoms of heart disease. Working up a sweat while exercising or being outdoors in a hot setting is normal and healthy, but it isn’t when you’re lounging about or in a cool place.

It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, so if you’re experiencing any of them, it’s important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.