Signs of heart and blood vessel conditions

Disorders of the heart and of circulation, such as heart attack and stroke, are serious health concerns.

Behaviors that may be telling you about heart conditions:

• Physical activities that used to be easy are now hard
• Anxiety or fearfulness for no apparent reason
• Unusual fatigue after activity
• Leg pain after walking a short distance
• Becomes less and less active
• Brief periods of difficulty walking, talking
• Wakes often at night with hard coughing, difficulty catching breath
• Brief periods of confusion
• Blacks out, faints, falls
• Short-lived paleness, sweating, nausea
• Reaches for things placed to one side, but not to the other

Other factors that may indicate the presence of a heart or blood vessel condition:

• Family history of heart disease
• Personal history of:
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
• Muscles of face seem "droopy"
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in jaw, neck, chest, shoulder, or arm that doesn't go away
• Pain in jaw, neck, back, chest, shoulder, elbow, arm, or hand, especially if it follows exercise, cold, heavy meal, smoking, stress; and is relieved by a short rest (up to 20 minutes)
• Obesity, especially in the middle of the body
• Weakness on one side of the body that lasts:
  • Less than 4 hours (TIA)
  • More than 4 hours (stroke)
• Swollen legs or feet
• Dry cough at night, with clicking, bubbling, or rattling sounds
• Use of birth control pills

Do you think someone's behavior may be telling you about a heart or blood vessel condition? Talk with your doctor or other health care.