Good heart health is important for survival. Your heart might be sending you signals, some less obvious than others, that something is wrong. If you experience any of these symptoms, you may be developing a heart problem that should be investigated by a medical professional.

Chest Pain

Chest pain is one of the most obvious signs of heart issues and it shouldn’t be ignored. Even though your chest pain may be the result of indigestion, a pulled muscle, or another rather harmless condition, a heart attack shouldn’t be ruled out and your specific type of pain may indicate a cardiac event. Chest pain that’s associated with a heart attack is often described as a tight, squeezing, or burning sensation, but you should be aware of the other chest pain symptoms that often arise when someone is experiencing a heart attack.

Palpitations

Also known as heart fluttering, palpitations occur when the heartbeat’s rhythm becomes irregular. You may feel that your heart is skipping a beat or fluttering in your throat when palpitations occur. Almost everyone experiences palpitations at some point, and these palpitations usually aren’t serious. However, they may also indicate a heart problem if they occur more frequently. Tachycardia, bradycardia, and other types of arrhythmias may cause your heart to beat too fast or slow and put you at greater risk of experiencing a heart attack or stroke. Palpitations are also more common among people who have heart disease and other serious heart conditions. If you notice this occurring regularly, contact your doctor for an appointment at your earliest convenience so that you can be tested for irregular rhythms.

Shortness of Breath

If you experience shortness of breath frequently after light physical activity or while at rest, your heart may be trying to tell you something. Shortness of breath is another sign of a heart attack, but the problem can also be caused by coronary artery disease, heart failure, or arrhythmia. If your shortness of breath has lasted longer than two weeks, you should definitely visit a Cardio Vascular Institute in your area, or at least a cardiologist, to find out if you have heart dysfunction.

Rapid, Unexplained Weight Gain

Diet changes, hormone fluctuations, and metabolism issues can all contribute to sudden weight gain, but a cardiac problem can also be to blame. If you are gaining weight rapidly and you can’t figure out the cause, you should have a doctor check your heart to see if it’s functioning correctly. Rapid, unexplained weight gain is sometimes caused by heart failure and extra fluid retention in the body can happen when the heart isn’t able to pump sufficiently.

Migraines

Though migraines are common in individuals without heart conditions, this could also be an indicator of a cardiac issue. Some studies show that prolonged migraines are commonly associated with heart conditions. If you notice that your typical headache medication isn’t doing the trick and your migraines are constant, immediately talk to your doctor about potential diagnostic tests that can be conducted. This could be your body telling you that something is wrong with your heart.

You can help ensure a longer life for yourself if you look after your heart and don’t overlook certain signs of a potential problem. If you suspect that you have a heart problem, you shouldn’t hesitate to go to a doctor to get the appropriate treatment. Make sure to take these signs seriously and consult with your doctor about heart tests to make sure your heart is in top condition.