Heart Symptoms

Baptist Health Deaconess Madisonville provides rapid diagnosis and advanced treatment for heart failure, ranging from traditional medical therapy to evaluation and referral.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump the necessary amount of blood throughout the body. Early diagnosis and treatment of heart failure is very important.

Common symptoms of heart failure include:

• Shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing when you exert yourself
• Weakness or tiredness with little effort
• Problems breathing when you're lying flat, or the need to sleep in a recliner or propped on many pillows
• Waking up at night coughing or short of breath
• Rapid weight gain
• Swelling in the abdomen, ankles or feet
• Confusion or trouble concentrating
• A racing or skipping heart
• Dizziness or fainting

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

Some heart attacks start slowly with mild pain or discomfort. Others are sudden or intense. Any chest pain lasting 10 minutes or more could signal a heart attack and should be treated immediately.

Call 9-1-1 for an ambulance if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Pressure or crushing pain in the chest, which may radiate into left arm or jaw, and lasts for more than 20 minutes
• Sweating
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Rapid or irregular pulse
• Loss of consciousness

Symptoms May Be Different for Women

Women sometimes experience different heart attack symptoms than men:

• Nausea or vomiting accompanied by a cold sweat or clamminess
• Pain or discomfort in other areas of the body, including arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach
• Pressure in the chest more common than sharp pains
• Shortness of breath, fatigue and indigestion