Heart attack: 5 strange signs that cardiologists say you shouldn’t ignore

A classic heart attack can be debilitating, painful, and even fatal if proper and prompt steps are not taken to get the right treatment. According to doctors, some classic symptoms of a heart attack, such as profuse sweating, shortness of breath, and immense chest pain, can alert anyone to a heart problem. However, heart problems can also be subtle.

According to doctors, heart problems tend to manifest differently in each person, especially in women and people with type 2 diabetes, who suffer from nerve damage that prevents them from feeling any kind of pain or discomfort. That is why doctors advise paying attention to the most discrete symptoms.

Strange signs of a heart attack that you should not ignore

A sinking feeling in the chest or palpitations.

Many times, without any effort, you can feel palpitations ranging from a slow heart rate to a fast one. According to doctors, this sinking sensation, which is equivalent to riding in a downward elevator, can be a sign of heart problems that require an immediate visit to the hospital.

Palpitations also cause the heart to beat harder and faster, leading to arrhythmias, an irregular heart rhythm that occurs when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. According to experts, while some types of arrhythmias are harmless, others can be serious and lead to life-threatening conditions such as cardiac arrest or heart failure.

Ringing in the ears or tinnitus

For those who suffer from tinnitus (a common perception of a sound that causes ringing in the ears), it can also be a sign of heart problems. Doctors say that while it is an atypical cardiac symptom, it does mean carotid artery stenosis (or narrowing of the carotid arteries, which are large blood vessels that supply blood to the brain). This narrowing is often caused by a buildup of plaque or cholesterol inside the artery walls, which increases the risk of stroke.

It can also be caused by a rare vascular disease, fibromuscular dysplasia, which is a rare blood vessel disorder that causes abnormal cell growth in the walls of arteries, causing them to become stiffer, narrower or bulging. Doctors say the condition affects women more than 90 percent of the time and is usually ignored because it is not an emergency.

Pain in the legs when walking

If you have been unable to walk a distance and you experience painful leg cramps, do not ignore them or self-medicate.

According to experts, the arteries in the legs, which are connected to the cardiovascular system, can suffer from peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, which occurs when obstruction causes a blockage, increasing the risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke. Doctors say they usually diagnose PAD by performing a physical exam and comparing blood pressure in the arm and ankle.

Physical changes in your limbs

If you’ve noticed swelling in your legs, ankles, arms, or feet, it may be a telltale sign of congestive heart failure.

Also known as edema, this condition occurs when there is a buildup of fluid in the body’s tissues, causing the heart to be unable to pump blood properly. This causes blood to pool in the veins, which also leads to weight gain and abdominal swelling.

Indigestion

If you’ve been having recurring bouts of heartburn, stomach pain, belching, and indigestion, it may be more than just a digestive problem.

According to doctors, chest pain, which is similar to indigestion, can be a symptom of ischemic heart disease. Although most people do not take it seriously or dismiss it as a run-of-the-mill gastrointestinal symptom, it is best to get it under control or consult a doctor to clear things up.