[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/heart-disease-symptoms\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/heart-disease-symptoms\/","headline":"The Heart Disease Symptoms You Can’t Ignore","name":"The Heart Disease Symptoms You Can’t Ignore","description":"What you don't know can hurt you or your loved ones, especially when it comes to recognizing symptoms of heart disease and heart attack.","datePublished":"2022-02-01","dateModified":"2024-01-12","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","name":"Heart and Vascular Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/heart-vascular","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/heart-and-vascular-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/chest-pain-dangers-of-delaying-care.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/chest-pain-dangers-of-delaying-care.jpg","height":325,"width":753},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2022\/02\/heart-disease-symptoms\/","about":["Health Topics A-Z","Heart and Vascular Health"],"wordCount":872,"articleBody":"On TV and in the movies, heart attacks can be overly dramatic. In real life, heart disease isn’t always as sudden and obvious. In fact, many people are not able to recognize many signs or symptoms of heart disease.Using data from the 2017 National Health Interview Survey, researchers assessed awareness of five common heart attack symptoms. Researchers asked a diverse pool of more than 25,000 adults in the United States. The study found that nearly 6% of respondents were not aware of any of the symptoms and only about 53% were aware of all five symptoms.What is Heart Disease?According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the term heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions. Sometimes, heart disease isn’t diagnosed until a person experiences signs or symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia.The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD). As plaque builds up in a person’s arteries, it blocks or decreases the flow of blood that can get to and from the heart. A decrease in blood flow can cause a heart attack.Heart disease is extremely common in the United States. To break down that statement into numbers:Someone in the U.S. has a heart attack every 40 seconds.About 695,000 people died from heart disease in the U.S. in 2021.Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. among men and women, followed by cancer.What Are the Symptoms of Heart Disease?For years, typical symptoms of heart disease were focused on men. But research indicates men and women experience heart disease differently.\u201cCardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women,\u201d says Beth Piccione, MD, a cardiologist with UPMC\u2019s Heart and Vascular Institute. \u201cNothing even comes close. More women die of heart disease than men, and that has actually been a very stable trend for quite some time.\u201d\u00a0Symptoms can also present differently as people age, but these are common warning signs:1. Pain or discomfort in chestThis is the most common symptom among men and women. The pain often starts in the center of the chest and can persist for several minutes. It can also start, disappear, and then return. The pain can feel like fullness or squeezing. Some people have described the sensation like an elephant sitting on their chest.2. Pain or discomfort in the arms or shouldersAnother common symptom is pain that radiates down both arms.3. Lightheadedness or dizzinessFeeling dizzy or lightheaded could mean you stood up to quickly or need to eat or drink. It could also be caused by low blood pressure, which could indicate that your heart can’t circulate enough blood to the body. That could lead to a heart attack or other heart problems.4. Nausea or vomitingSometimes people, particularly women, experience indigestion before a heart attack.5. Jaw, neck, or back painIt’s unlikely that jaw, neck, or back pain alone is a sign of heart disease. However, if there’s no reason for muscle or joint pain (like a recent workout), it could be a sign of heart disease. This is especially true for women.6. Shortness of breathThis can occur with or without chest pain. Shortness of breath when lying down is a strong indication of heart failure.7. Extreme, unexplained fatigueThis isn’t being tired after a hard day’s work. Rather, it is suddenly feeling so tired that you can’t complete normal everyday activities. Extreme fatigue could be a sign your heart is working much harder to maintain blood flow. It decreases your ability to do physical activity over a short period of time.8. Fast, slow, irregular, or uneven heartbeatProlonged changes in heart rhythm shouldn’t be ignored, as consistency is key to maintain blood flow. This symptom is especially common in women with heart disease and is often accompanied by other symptoms.9. Excessive sweatingSweating while not being active could be a sign of heart disease. Night sweats are a common symptom of heart disease and other serious diseases for women, and they should not be mistaken for hot flashes.What Should You Do?Some people report mild symptoms that can increase in intensity while others experience sudden and intense onset. But there’s no such thing as just a little heart attack.\u201cAlways remember: Don’t ignore symptoms,\u201d Dr. Piccione says. \u201cAnd please seek attention, know what your risk factors are\u201d\u00a0Know the symptoms and seek medical attention if you experience any of these warning signs. The experts at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute are available to discuss your concerns. Call 1-855-876-2482 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 1, 2022, and was last reviewed on June 3, 2022.SourcesAbstract 13002: Sociodemographic Disparities in Awareness of Heart Attack Symptoms in the United States. Circulation. LinkAbout Heart Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. LinkDeaths: Final Data for 2017. National Vital Statistics Report. Volume 68, Number 9. LinkHeart Attack. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. LinkHeart Attack Symptoms in Women. American Heart Association. LinkHeart Disease Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. LinkWarning Signs of a Heart Attack. American Heart Association. 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