We Asked 3 Cardiologists What Heart Disease Symptom You Should Never Ignore, and They All Said the Same Thing
Key Points:
- Heart disease remains the leading cause of death among U.S. adults, with symptoms often starting subtly rather than with sudden chest pain, making early recognition critical for timely treatment and improved outcomes.
- Key risk factors for heart disease and heart attacks include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, inflammation, stress, smoking, lack of exercise, and family history, according to cardiologists.
- Shortness of breath during routine activities is a major but often overlooked symptom of heart trouble, as it indicates the heart may not be supplying enough oxygen to the body, and should never be ignored or attributed solely to aging or stress.
- If experiencing new or worsening shortness of breath, individuals should stop activity, rest, and promptly contact a healthcare provider or seek