When To Check Your Heart: Alarming Symptoms

October 28, 2025

2 min read

Cardiovascular diseases occupy a leading position among the most common and dangerous diseases. The good news is that since they are some of the well-studied conditions, early diagnostics can help avoid complications. What symptoms show that it is no longer possible to postpone a visit to the doctor?

Key takeaways

Cardiovascular diseases occupy a leading position among the most common and dangerous diseases.
Let's look at a few of the less commonly known symptoms that may signal heart disease or heart attack.
How to prevent the early development of cardiovascular disease:

Who this is for

People building a stronger foundation in Cardiovascular health.

Why it matters

This piece helps you get oriented quickly, then move into a collection or series if you want to keep going.

Article author

Dr. Alexei

cardiovascular surgeon

Our body gives us signals when issues so that we can identify them at an early stage and prevent complications. A heart attack is indicated by chest pain, palpitations, high blood pressure, and shortness of breath. Most people are aware of these symptoms. However, not many know that heart diseases can occur with other symptoms, just like for a number of equally serious conditions.

Let's look at a few of the less commonly known symptoms that may signal heart disease or heart attack.

If you experience any of them, see your doctor immediately! Although up to 80 percent of chest squeezing and pressing pains are neurological, the “golden” rule is to see your doctor whenever you experience chest pain of any sort.

Heart attacks can be felt during physical exercise and when resting. Pain in the shoulders, arms, back, upper abdomen, neck, or jaw can be a sign of a heart attack. Pay attention if you feel this pain or lose feeling completely, and seek medical help immediately.

Shortness of breath is a prominent heart attack symptom, especially if it is accompanied by edema. Peripheral edema appears because of the excessive accumulation of fluid in the extracellular body tissue. This most often occurs in the lower limbs. Swelling in the legs is usually more noticeable in the afternoon, as gravity increases the volume and pressure of blood in the veins of the lower extremities.

At rest, heart rate fluctuations within 60-90 beats per minute are considered optimal. More beats per minute are tachycardia, while under 50 beats is bradycardia. Heart rhythm disturbances and high blood pressure over 139/89 mm Hg are some of the symptoms you should look out for.

Any of these symptoms may be accompanied by weakness, dizziness, and nausea. However, people often don’t pay attention to them, believing that it is due to food poisoning or stress.

How to prevent the early development of cardiovascular disease:

Measure blood pressure (BP) daily and record the reading
Give up smoking and alcohol
Lead an active lifestyle
Walk at least 5–6 km a day at a moderate speed
Try not to get annoyed over silly or unimportant things
Sleep for at least 7–8 hours
Include vegetables and fruits in your diet
Undergo timely medical preventive examinations.

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