Heart Conditions and Associated Symptoms
Symptoms That May Be Related to Heart Disease
Heart disease can present in different ways. Symptoms may be subtle, intermittent, or mistaken for less serious conditions - particularly in women.
If you recognise any of the symptoms below, especially if they are new, worsening, or triggered by exertion, a cardiac assessment may be appropriate.
Heart disease covers a range of conditions affecting the heart’s blood supply, structure, rhythm, and function. Some conditions develop gradually, while others may present suddenly.
Understanding the most common heart conditions can help patients recognise symptoms early and seek appropriate assessment.
Chest Pain
A feeling of pressure, squeezing, or discomfort in the chest, which may occur with physical effort or emotional stress and may spread to the arms, neck, back or shoulders. This can suggest reduced blood to the heart.
Shortness of Breath
Breathlessness on exertion when lying flat or waking at night feeling short of breath. This may indicate reduced heart function or coronary heart disease.
Unusual Fatigue
Persistent or excessive tiredness, especially when daily activities feel more difficult than usual. This can be an important symptom of heart disease, particularly in women.
Palpitations
A sensation of fluttering, rapid, or irregular heartbeats. Sometimes accompanied by dizziness, breathlessness or fatigue.
Dizziness and Fainting
Feeling lightheaded, faint, or unsteady, often related to heart rhythm or blood pressure issues.
Ankle or leg swelling
Persistent swelling the feet, ankles or lower legs, this may indicate fluid retention related to heart failure.
Common Heart Conditions
Heart disease covers a range of conditions affecting the harts blood supply, structure, rhythm and function. Some conditions develop gradually while others may present suddenly.
Understanding the most common heart conditions can help patients recognise symptoms early and seek appropriate assessment.
Heart Valve Disease
Heart valves control blood flow through the heart. Valve disease occurs when a valve becomes narrowed (stenosis) or leaky (regurgitation).
This may cause breathlessness, fatigue, chest discomfort and palpitations or ankle swelling. Valve disease often progresses slowly and may not cause symptoms until it becomes more advanced.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy refers to diseases of the heart muscle itself. The heart muscle may become thickened, weakened, or stiff.
This can affect the heart’s ability to pump effectively and may cause breathlessness, chest discomfort, palpitations and dizziness or fainting. Some forms are inherited, while others develop later in life.
Hypertension
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition where the force of blood against the walls of the arteries is consistently too high. Over time, this can damage blood vessels and lead to serious health problems.
Coronary Heart Disease, Angina and Heart Attacks
Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked by cholesterol plaque.
This can lead to angina (chest discomfort or breathlessness, often triggered by exertion or stress) or heart attacks (sudden interruption of blood flow to the heart muscle). Coronary artery disease is one of the most common forms of heart disease and may present differently in women.
Heart Rhythm Disorders (Arrhythmias)
Heart rhythm disorders occur when the heart beats too fast, too slowly, or irregularly. Common rhythm problems include atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and ventricular rhythm disturbances.
Symptoms may include palpitations, dizziness, breathlessness, fatigue, or fainting. Some arrhythmias increase the risk of stroke and require careful assessment.
Heart Failure
Heart failure does not mean the heart has stopped working. It means the heart is not pumping blood as efficiently as it should.
Symptoms may include breathlessness on exertion or when lying flat, swelling of the ankles or legs, fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance. With appropriate treatment, many people with heart failure can live active and fulfilling lives.
Aortic Disease
The aorta is the main blood vessel carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Aortic conditions include aortic aneurysm (weakening and widening of the vessel) and aortic dissection (a tear in the vessel wall). These conditions may be silent initially but can be serious if not identified early.
