Symptom guide
Heart symptoms
What they can mean, and which test helps.
Chest pain or pressurePain, tightness, heaviness or burning in the chest, sometimes spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back, or coming on with exertion.
It can come from narrowed heart arteries (angina), but also from the stomach, muscles or lungs. A cardiologist sorts out which.
Tests that help
Go to emergency if: Chest pain at rest lasting more than a few minutes, with sweating, breathlessness or fainting.
BreathlessnessGetting out of breath more easily than before, needing extra pillows at night, or waking up breathless.
Common heart causes are a weak or stiff heart muscle, valve disease, rhythm problems and high blood pressure.
Tests that help
Go to emergency if: Severe breathlessness at rest, blue lips, or breathlessness with chest pain.
PalpitationsA racing, pounding, fluttering or skipping heartbeat.
Often harmless, but can be atrial fibrillation or another rhythm problem that needs treatment. The key is recording the rhythm while it happens.
Tests that help
Go to emergency if: Palpitations with fainting, chest pain or severe breathlessness.
Dizziness or faintingLight-headedness, near-fainting or blackouts, especially on exertion or without warning.
Causes include slow or fast heart rhythms, low blood pressure and valve narrowing, as well as non-heart causes.
Tests that help
Go to emergency if: Fainting during exercise, or with chest pain or palpitations.
Swollen feet or anklesSwelling of the feet or legs, or quick weight gain over a few days.
Can be a sign of heart failure, as well as kidney, liver or vein problems, or a side effect of some medicines.
Tests that help
Go to emergency if: Swelling with breathlessness at rest.
Loud snoring, daytime sleepinessSnoring, pauses in breathing at night, waking unrefreshed, or nodding off in the day.
Obstructive sleep apnoea strains the heart and raises the risk of high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Tests that help
Go to emergency if: Severe sleepiness while driving: stop driving until you are assessed.
No symptoms, but high BP, sugar or cholesterolHigh blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, excess weight or a family history of early heart disease.
These raise heart risk silently for years. Measuring the risk early lets treatment start before a heart attack.
Tests that help
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis. Please see a doctor about your symptoms.
Questions
When should I see a cardiologist for chest pain?
See a cardiologist soon for chest pain or tightness that comes on with exertion and settles with rest, or keeps coming back. Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department straight away for chest pain at rest lasting more than a few minutes, especially with sweating, breathlessness or fainting.
Which test is done first for heart symptoms?
Usually an ECG, often with a 2D echo. Depending on the symptoms, the cardiologist may add a TMT or stress echo, Holter or loop recorder, CT coronary angiography, or blood tests.
Where can I get heart tests near me in East or South Delhi?
Care Heart Centre has clinics in Karkardooma (East Delhi, near Karkardooma Metro) and Maharani Bagh (South Delhi, near New Friends Colony), led by interventional cardiologist Dr. Gaurav Minocha.
Can palpitations be serious?
Most palpitations are harmless, but some are due to atrial fibrillation or other rhythm problems that raise stroke risk. An ECG, Holter or external loop recorder captures the rhythm while it happens.
Is snoring linked to heart disease?
Loud snoring with pauses in breathing can be obstructive sleep apnoea, which is linked to high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and heart failure. A home sleep study can check for it.