Your heart works around the clock, pumping blood and oxygen throughout your body. Most of the time, you probably don’t give that work much thought.
But when the heart or cardiovascular system is under increased strain, the body may sometimes provide clues.
Some warning signs can be surprisingly easy to dismiss. Shortness of breath may be blamed on getting older. Fatigue may be blamed on a busy week. Swollen ankles may seem like nothing more than the result of spending too much time on your feet.
While these symptoms can have many causes — including causes unrelated to the heart — persistent or unexplained changes deserve attention.
Here are eight signs that may indicate your heart is working harder than usual and when it may be worth discussing them with a healthcare professional.
1. You Get Short of Breath More Easily
Becoming winded after strenuous exercise is normal. But getting unusually short of breath during activities that once felt easy can be worth paying attention to.
You might notice it while climbing a flight of stairs, walking across a parking lot, carrying groceries or doing household chores.
Shortness of breath can occur for many reasons, including lung conditions, anemia, poor physical conditioning and other health problems. In some cases, however, cardiovascular problems can make it more difficult for the body to receive the oxygen-rich blood it needs efficiently.
A noticeable change from your usual level of endurance is often more important than comparing yourself with someone else.
2. Your Ankles, Feet or Legs Are Swollen
A little swelling after a long day on your feet isn’t necessarily unusual. Persistent or increasing swelling is another matter.
When circulation isn’t functioning efficiently, fluid can accumulate in the body’s tissues. This may be particularly noticeable around the feet, ankles and lower legs.
You may notice that your socks leave deeper-than-usual marks around your ankles or that your shoes feel tighter toward the end of the day.
Swelling can have numerous causes, including certain medications and problems involving the veins, kidneys or liver. Because there are so many possibilities, unexplained or recurring swelling should be evaluated rather than self-diagnosed.
3. You’re More Tired Than Usual
Everyone feels tired occasionally. What deserves closer attention is fatigue that is new, persistent or significantly different from your normal energy level.
If everyday activities suddenly require more effort, your body may be signaling that something has changed.
For example, you might find yourself needing frequent breaks while cleaning the house, walking around the neighborhood or completing other activities that previously caused little difficulty.
Heart problems are only one potential explanation. Poor sleep, stress, anemia, infections, thyroid disorders and numerous other conditions can also contribute to fatigue.
If persistent exhaustion doesn’t have an obvious explanation, consider discussing it with your healthcare provider.
4. You Notice a Racing, Pounding or Irregular Heartbeat
It’s normal to become more aware of your heartbeat after exercise, during stressful situations or after consuming significant amounts of caffeine.
But repeatedly feeling as though your heart is racing, fluttering, pounding or skipping beats can sometimes indicate an abnormal heart rhythm.
These sensations are commonly called heart palpitations.
Many palpitations are harmless, but some require medical evaluation — particularly when they are new, frequent or accompanied by other symptoms.
Pay special attention if palpitations occur along with dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort or difficulty breathing.
5. You Feel Lightheaded or Dizzy
Feeling dizzy after standing up too quickly can happen to almost anyone. Frequent or unexplained episodes, however, shouldn’t automatically be dismissed.
Your brain depends on a steady supply of oxygen-rich blood. Changes in blood pressure, heart rhythm or circulation can sometimes contribute to lightheadedness or dizziness.
There are also many non-cardiac explanations, including dehydration, low blood sugar, medication side effects and inner-ear problems.
The important question is whether the symptom is becoming frequent, severe or noticeably different from what you’ve experienced in the past.
Fainting or nearly fainting — particularly during physical activity — warrants prompt medical attention.
6. Everyday Physical Activity Has Become More Difficult
One useful way to monitor your health is to pay attention to what you can comfortably do from one month to the next.
Perhaps you previously walked several blocks without difficulty but now need to stop and rest. Maybe carrying laundry upstairs suddenly leaves you exhausted or breathless.
A gradual decline can be easy to overlook because it doesn’t happen overnight.
Reduced exercise tolerance can result from many factors, including aging, inactivity, respiratory conditions and changes in overall fitness. But cardiovascular problems are another possible cause.
A significant unexplained decline in your ability to perform normal activities is worth mentioning during a medical appointment.
7. You Have Trouble Breathing When Lying Flat
Some people notice that breathing becomes more difficult when they lie completely flat and improves after they sit upright or prop themselves up with additional pillows.
There are several possible explanations for this symptom.
In certain heart conditions, fluid can accumulate in or around the lungs, potentially making breathing more difficult while lying down.
If you suddenly need multiple pillows to breathe comfortably, frequently wake up struggling for breath or experience unexplained nighttime breathing problems, contact a healthcare professional.
These symptoms shouldn’t simply be written off as a normal part of aging.
8. You Experience Chest Pressure or Discomfort
Chest symptoms deserve particular attention.
Heart-related discomfort isn’t always experienced as dramatic, severe pain. Some people describe pressure, squeezing, heaviness, fullness, tightness or an uncomfortable sensation in the center or left side of the chest.
Symptoms may sometimes appear during physical activity and improve with rest.
However, chest discomfort can have many causes, including indigestion, muscle strain, anxiety and respiratory conditions. You cannot reliably determine the cause based on symptoms alone.
New, unexplained or concerning chest discomfort should therefore be taken seriously.
Don’t Ignore Changes Just Because You’re Getting Older
One of the easiest mistakes to make is assuming that every physical change is simply part of aging.
Age certainly affects stamina and physical performance. But persistent shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, unexplained swelling or a substantial decline in exercise tolerance shouldn’t automatically be considered normal.
This becomes particularly important as cardiovascular risk tends to increase with age.
Regular medical checkups provide an opportunity to review blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and other factors that may affect cardiovascular health.
Simple Ways to Support Heart Health
You don’t need to completely transform your lifestyle overnight to start supporting cardiovascular health.
Depending on your individual health and your doctor’s recommendations, beneficial habits may include staying physically active, avoiding tobacco, getting adequate sleep, managing stress and maintaining a nutritious eating pattern.
Foods commonly associated with heart-healthy eating patterns include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, fish and other sources of lean protein.
Keeping blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar within appropriate ranges is also an important part of reducing cardiovascular risk.
If you already have heart disease or another medical condition, talk with your healthcare provider before making major changes to your exercise routine or diet.
When to Seek Emergency Help
Certain symptoms require immediate attention.
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care for severe or unexplained chest pain or pressure, especially if it lasts more than a few minutes or occurs with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, fainting, severe weakness, or discomfort spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck or jaw.
Sudden severe difficulty breathing or loss of consciousness can also be medical emergencies.
Don’t attempt to diagnose a possible heart attack or other serious cardiovascular problem at home.
The Bottom Line
Your body can sometimes provide early clues when something isn’t functioning as efficiently as it normally does.
Shortness of breath, swollen ankles, unusual fatigue, heart palpitations, dizziness, declining exercise tolerance, difficulty breathing while lying down and chest discomfort can all have numerous explanations. But they can also occur with cardiovascular problems.
The key is to notice meaningful changes from your normal baseline.
If a symptom is new, persistent, worsening or unexplained, discussing it with a qualified healthcare professional can help determine what’s causing it and whether further testing is appropriate.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Seek immediate medical care for symptoms that may indicate a medical emergency.
