Heart and circulatory diseases, collectively known as cardiovascular disease (CVD), are very common in the UK, affecting an estimated 7.6 million1 people. They are a leading cause of death and disability, accounting for approximately one in four2 premature deaths.
Heart problems don’t necessarily look or feel like they do on the telly – so it’s well worth understanding what to look out for, and when to go and see your GP.
Here’s 10 heart symptoms you shouldn’t ignore:
1. Shortness of breath
You can feel short of breath for lots of different reasons that have nothing to do with your heart, but if it’s a persistent problem, or if it worsens when you’re lying down or sleeping, it could be to do with your heart.
2. Indigestion or heartburn
Indigestion, heartburn and nausea, particularly in women, can be linked to heart problems. It can be really hard to tell if that painful burning feeling in your chest or stomach is related to your gut or to your heart, but if it persists and feels sharper or lasts longer than normal, it’s time to seek medical attention.
3. Fatigue
Everyone feels tired from time to time, but if you’re tired ALL of the time and struggling to go about your normal activities, you really must go and see your doctor to rule out anything serious. Fatigue can be an early warning sign that your heart is struggling to pump blood around your body - especially when combined with shortness of breath.
4. Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
Swelling in the lower extremities could have lots of different causes, but shouldn’t be ignored. It can be a marker of heart failure, and might mean you heart isn’t pumping blood as well as it should be, causing fluid to collect in your legs, ankles or feet.
5. Heart palpitations
Feeling your heart racing, fluttering, or skipping beats (palpitations) should be monitored - especially if accompanied by other symptoms. There can be lots of different reasons behind them, including stress or too much caffeine, but if your heart is going very fast or jumping around you should see your GP. Palpitations can be a sign of an abnormal heart rhythm or arrythmia.
6. Dizziness or light-headedness
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded frequently could indicate that your blood pressure has dropped because your heart isn’t able to pump the way it should. If you suffer from regular dizzy or lightheaded spells, it’s time to talk to a doctor about your heart health.
7. A persistent cough
Believe it or not a cough can actually indicate a problem with your heart, too. If you have a long-lasting cough, especially if it produces white or pink mucus, it could mean your heart is struggling and causing blood to leak back into your lungs. Any cough that lasts longer than 3 weeks needs medical attention.
8. Sweating
Of course everyone sweats when it’s hot, but sudden and excessive sweating, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, can be a sign of a heart attack.
9. Chest pain
Chest pain, pressure, or aching that persists or worsens - especially with activity - could be a sign of a heart attack. People describe heart attack pain like a tight rubber band around them, or an elephant sitting on their chest. If your chest pain doesn’t stop after resting for a few minutes - or you start to feel otherwise unwell - dial 999 for an ambulance.
10. Pain in the jaw, arms, neck, back, or stomach
Classic chest pain like you see on soap operas isn’t present for every heart attack – especially in women. If you have a pain that radiates to or even starts in the jaw, arms (especially your left arm), neck, back or stomach - it could be heart attack, and needs urgent attention.
Look out for all the accompanying symptoms too – shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or being sick, alongside that choking, squeezing feeling.
Call 999 immediately if you think you or someone you know might be having a heart attack. The faster you act, the better their chances.
How your Equipsme plan can help with heart health
Your Equipsme plan is here for you if you’ve got worries about your heart health.
1. Heart health support line
Equipsme members get access to a specialist team of cardiac nurses as part of AXA Health’s heart health support line. They’re around to help answer any questions about heart health, help you understand a diagnosis, prepare for treatment, or explain procedures and medications.
Find out more about the heart health advice line
2. 24/7 GP service
Our GP service is a really useful way to get in front of a GP fast, or out of hours – or to get a second opinion if you need one.
Find out how to use the 24/7 GP service
3. Thriva health checks
Plan levels 1, 2 and 3 come with an annual home health check from our preventative health partners Thriva3, plus 20% discounts on further tests. These are simple at-home blood tests which can help you understand what’s going on inside your body – including your cardiovascular health. Members on GP Plus receive a 30% discount off any of the Thriva health checks and all members can also get 25% of a full, in-person Nuffield health check, too.
Find out how to get your Thriva healthcheck
4. Diagnosis and treatment
If diagnosis and treatment is part of your plan, and your condition is covered, you can get in front of a cardiologist consultant – often far faster than an NHS referral.
Find out more about our diagnosis services
Find out more about our treatment services
Other useful articles:
How to keep your heart healthy
How do I lower my cholesterol?
What do blood pressure numbers mean?
What is cholesterol?
Other useful resources:
British Heart Foundation
NHS
Web MD
Sources:
1 www.bhf.org.uk
2 commonslibrary.parliament.uk
3 thriva.co
All our information is desk-based research from credible sources only, including the NHS and medical/disease charities.
Date created: July 2025
