Doctors call it heart disease when the heart cannot circulate the blood throughout the body properly. This usually happens in the disease process of heart failure, and is associated with poor functioning valves of the heart. Heart disease also can happen when plaque builds up within the arteries, which causes blockages that both reduce blood flow and make the heart work harder. This eventually will cause chest pain and even death through cardiac arrest if left unchecked.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) occurs due to the build up of fluid within the air sacs of the lungs. This pulmonary edema eventually may cause a person to feel as though he is drowning. In the first stages of heart disease, this problem generally occurs with exertion, but eventually, if left untreated, can happen continually, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. While shortness of breath may be caused by other problems, and even as a side effect of many medications, it may be an indicator of congestive heart failure and coronary artery disease.
Edema
Swelling (edema) can occur from lack of circulation of blood throughout the body due to some form of heart disease. Fluids build up--especially in the lungs, hands, feet and legs. This build-up of fluids continues long-term when the valve in the heart cannot circulate the fluids correctly. Again, this symptom also may occur with other ailments and medications.
Tiredness
Tiredness occurs due to inadequate levels of oxygen in the muscles. If activity is attempted and the person feels abnormally tired, she may have heart disease because any decrease of oxygen in her body will naturally cause her to feel tired. She may reduce her amount of activity based on the fact that she becomes fatigued too quickly.
Chest Pain
The most easily recognizable symptom of heart disease is pain in the chest. This happens because of the build-up of plaque within the arteries of the heart. A patient may feel pain in his chest when he is at rest or when he is active. This pain is commonly called angina.
