Coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease) occurs with inadequate blood flow through the arteries surrounding the heart. A narrowing of blood vessels from deposits of fat and other bodily substances restricts blood flow. This narrowing causes the heart to work inefficiently and increases the risk of a heart attack. Coronary heart disease has several symptoms. These coronary heart disease symptoms may indicate the onset of a heart attack.
Angina (Chest Pain or Pressure)
Angina (chest pain or pressure) occurs when there is not enough blood flowing to the heart. Although the pain or pressure is usually felt in the chest, it is sometimes felt in the arms, shoulders, back, neck or jaw. The pain can be misidentified as heartburn or indigestion. Angina is the most common symptom of coronary heart disease. As noted in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" February 16, 2007 issue, 4.4 percent of adults in the United States (about 13.5 million adults) had angina at some point in their lifetimes. Long-lasting angina may lead to a heart attack. However, men are more likely than women to report having angina prior to a heart attack, as found in a study by Jean McSweeney published in the November 2003 issue of "Circulation."
Dizziness or Light-Headedness
Feeling dizzy or light-headed can occur when not enough blood is flowing to the heart or to the body. Sometimes dizziness is an early symptom of a heart attack.
Fast Heartbeats (Tachycardia)
A faster than usual heartbeat (tachycardia) may occur in people with coronary heart disease. The rapid heartbeat usually indicates that the body is not well and is under stress, such as the heart and arteries. Rapid heartbeats can lead to serious health conditions, such as heart attack and stroke.
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are often described as pauses or skips in the heartbeats, or as fast and pounding heartbeats. The irregularity of the heartbeat usually causes an awareness of its beating.
Nausea
Nausea is having an uneasy stomach and the feeling to vomit. Some people with coronary heart disease experience nausea on occasion. In some instances, vomiting may occur.
Shortness of Breath
Having shortness of breath or breathing heavily for no apparent reason is another symptom of coronary heart disease. Some people with coronary heart disease must catch their breath after walking short distances, lifting light objects, or walking up or down a few stairs.
Sweating
Individuals with coronary heart disease may break out into a sweat. Profuse sweating may be indication of a heart attack when it occurs with pain in the chest, arms, neck or jaw.
References
- "Circulation"; Women's Early Warning Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction; Jean McSweeney, Marisue Cody, Patricia O'Sullivan, Karen Elberson, Debra Moser, and Bonnie Garvin; November 2003.
- "Heart Disease Facts"; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; January 25, 2010.
- "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report"; Prevalence of Heart Disease United States -- 2005; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; February 16, 2007.
