Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

The most common symptoms of CAD are:

• Chest pain or chest discomfort
• Pain in one or both arms, the left shoulder, neck, jaw, or back
• Shortness of breath

Your symptoms may vary or become more severe depending on the amount of buildup in your arteries. In some people, the first sign of CAD is a heart attack.

Heart Attack

The most common warnings signs include:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back
• Shoulder, neck or arm pain
• Chest discomfort with lightheadness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath.

Women may also experience signs such as:

• Nausea or dizziness
• Atypical chest, stomach, or abdominal pain
• Unexplained anxiety, weakness, or fatigue
• Palpitations, cold sweat, or paleness

Signs and symptoms vary from person to person, and people suffering from a second heart attack may experience completely different symptoms. Some people have no symptoms. This is called a "silent" heart attack. The symptoms of angina can be similar to those of a heart attack.

If you have angina and notice a change or a worsening of your symptoms, talk with your doctor right away.

If you do experience any of these warning signs, contact 911 immediately. Every second counts.

Congestive Heart Failure: The Warning Signs

Heart failure may occur over a few days, or a few weeks. Some of the warning signs include:

• Sudden weight gain
• Shortness of breath not related to exercise or exertion
• Increases in swelling of the lower limbs (legs or ankles)
• Swelling or pain in the abdomen
• Trouble sleeping (waking up short of breath, using more pillows)
• Frequent dry, hacking cough
• Increased fatigue

If any of these warning signs occur, talk to your doctor right away, or call 911. Post the phone numbers for the primary care physician and cardiologist by your telephone, along with a list of current medications, other medical conditions, and allergies.

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