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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 9 July 2015

The following are the typical symptoms:

Anxiety: An impending heart attack may be preceded by feelings of anxiety. 

Angina or chest pain: Heart-related chest pain is often centred under the left breast bone. The pain has been described as “an elephant sitting on the chest”. It can also present as an uncomfortable sensation of pressure, squeezing or fullness, or burning sensation in the chest.

Cough: Persistent coughing or wheezing as a result of fluid accumulation in the lungs. 

Dizziness: Light-headedness and loss of consciousness 

Fatigue: A feeling of constant tiredness, seen especially among women 

Nausea or lack of appetite: Abdominal swelling associated with heart disease can interfere with appetite

Pain in other parts of the body: Pain begins in the chest and spreads to shoulders, arms, elbow, back, neck, jaw and abdomen

Rapid or irregular pulse: Rapid or irregular pulse when accompanied by weakness, dizziness or shortness of breath can be evidence of heart disease.

Shortness of breath 

Sweating: Breaking out in a cold sweat 

Swelling: Heart disease can cause fluid to accumulate in the body. This can cause swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, abdomen and sudden weight gain.

Weakness: Severe unexplained weakness, especially in women.

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