Heart disease refers to a range of conditions that affect your heart. In this blog post, we focus on coronary heart disease (also known as coronary artery disease), discussing heart disease symptoms and early warning signs. 

We explain the factors that increase your risk of developing the condition and the importance of heart screening for early diagnosis and treatment.

Heart disease symptoms

Some people experience no symptoms before their diagnosis, while others may have many. The earliest signs of heart disease include chest pain (angina), breathlessness and feeling tired or dizzy.  

Additional symptoms include: 

• Arm pain 
• Palpitations 
• Feeling sick (nausea) 
• Swelling or pain in your legs 
• Sweating with no obvious cause 
• Pain in your jaw, neck, back or throat 
• A burning sensation in your stomach or chest 

Always discuss new symptoms with your GP. They may refer you to a cardiologist (heart specialist) for further investigation.  

Watch our video to hear more about the top five signs of heart disease from our Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Syed Ahsan.

Angina

Angina is the most common symptom of coronary heart disease. It can be scary, as you may feel like you are choking or suffocating. Stress or physical exertion can trigger angina, but symptoms usually pass within 10 minutes and often subside if you rest. 

The pain you feel in your chest with angina may be mild and feel like indigestion. Mild angina tends to affect the chest only. If you get a more severe episode, the pain that starts in your chest may travel through your body. You may feel it in your arms, jaw, neck, back and stomach. 

If you experience angina, you should book an appointment with a cardiologist to discuss your symptoms.

Heart attack

Coronary heart disease can cause a heart attack if it’s undiagnosed, due to blocked arteries. Heart attack symptoms can feel like angina and be fatal without immediate treatment. They are often more severe, though they can occur with no symptoms and while you’re resting. Women are more likely to experience less severe chest pain, which can be mistaken for indigestion. 

A heart attack may cause you to feel overwhelmingly anxious. You might also feel weak or as if your chest is being squeezed. Do not ignore these symptoms. Call 999 if you think you are experiencing a heart attack. You can also call 111 for advice if you aren’t sure who to speak to.

Heart failure

Coronary heart disease can also cause heart failure to develop suddenly or over time. With heart failure, the heart cannot pump blood around the body properly because it has become too weak. It can cause a build-up of fluid in the lungs, leading to breathing problems. 

As well as the symptoms listed above, you may experience persistent coughing or wheezing, bloating, changes in weight and appetite loss. Arrange a consultation with our specialist right away if you experience these symptoms, along with either breathlessness or a fast heart rate.

Risk factors

Blockages in the arteries (blood vessels) that supply the heart cause symptoms of coronary heart disease. Fatty substances called atheroma can build up in the arteries, narrowing them and making it harder for oxygenated blood to reach the heart. This process is called atherosclerosis. 

The following factors increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis: 

• Smoking 
• Having diabetes 
• Family history of coronary heart disease 
• High cholesterol and lipoprotein (a) levels 
• Having high blood pressure (hypertension) 
• Not exercising enough and being overweight 

High blood pressure and cholesterol are often the results of lifestyle factors such as a poor diet, including too many fatty or salty foods and too much caffeine or alcohol. Eating healthily, quitting smoking, managing your weight and limiting alcohol are just some things you can do to reduce your risk. We also recommend exercising more often and booking a heart screening.

Heart screening

We use screening to check your overall heart health and detect warning signs of heart disease. Spotting the condition early on allows us to create a treatment plan to improve your heart health, reducing the risk of heart disease complications like heart attacks and heart failure. 

Screening usually takes 2–4 hours, during which our expert cardiologist will carry out several tests. You will get a full report with your results and, if needed, a bespoke treatment plan. 

Book an appointment

Speak to one of our experts if you are experiencing early warning signs of symptoms of heart disease. We will arrange a series of tests to determine the cause of symptoms and form a personalised treatment plan to suit your needs and preferences. Book an appointment today to get started and prioritise your heart health.