Heart (Cardiac) Symptoms

This page was written by Shelley Ensz, and has not yet been medically edited. See Disclaimer.

Heart Symptoms in Women
Chest Pain

Common Symptoms of Heart Failure
Fainting (Syncope)

Overview of Symtpoms

Cardiac Symptoms with scleroderma can be due to complications such as myocardial disease, conduction system abnormalities, arrhythmias, or pericardial disease. Many of these complications have common symptoms: shortness of breath, fatigue, light headedness, slow/fast heart rate or swelling in the feet, legs, or abdomen.

Heart Disease: Symptoms. Each type of heart disease has different symptoms, although many heart problems have similar symptoms. The symptoms you experience depend on the type and severity of your heart condition. Learn to recognize your symptoms and the situations that cause them. Call your doctor if you begin to have new symptoms or if they become more frequent or severe. WebMD.

Heart Symptoms in Women

A Gender Difference In Heart Disease: Variant in Women Called Hard to Detect. This explains why some women suddenly have heart attacks even though their arteries look clear, in some cases leading doctors to send them home without treatment or refer them to psychiatrists. Their symptoms are often unusual: Instead of the classic crushing chest pain, sweating and shortness of breath, they often complain of vague symptoms—fatigue, an upset stomach, or pain in the jaw or shoulders. Washington Post 02/01/06.

Chest Pain

Chest Pain, Acute Severe, sudden chest pain can represent a life-threatening problem. Follow this chart for more information. familydoctor.org.

Chest Pain, Chronic Many different types of problems can cause discomfort, shortness of breath, pain with swallowing, and many other symptoms in the chest area. This chart may help you pinpoint your problem as you confirm your symptoms. familydoctor.org.

Common Symptoms of Heart Failure

Swelling in Ankles is edema and may be a symptom of heart disease

Common symptoms of heart failure include breathing difficulties, fatigue and exercise intolerance, and coughing.

• Breathing. Breathing problems may include shortness of breath from walking stairs or other simple activities; trouble breathing when lying down; or waking up in the middle of the night short of breath.

• Coughing. The cough may be a dry, hacking cough when lying flat in bed; and it may produce mucus or blood-tinged sputum.

• Exercise intolerance.

• Fatigue.

• Swelling. There may be swelling of the feet, ankle or legs.

Photo at left: Edema (swelling) in the ankles

Common Symptoms of Heart Failure. Heart failure can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms may be subtle and are often mistaken for normal signs of aging. Heart Failure Society of America.

Fainting (Syncope)

Unexplained Fainting (Syncope) If you suffer from recurrent fainting spells and doctors have been unable to determine the cause, a revolutionary medical device that monitors your heart may offer new hope. The device is called the Medtronic Reveal Insertable Loop Recorder. Medtronic.