Heart Symptoms and Causes
Common symptoms for cardiac conditions
![A doctor uses a stethoscope to check a patient's heart, representing Scripps Health's expertise in heart symptoms and causes.](http://www.scripps.org/sparkle-assets/images/scripps-health-heart-care-heart-symptoms-and-causes-1b52a06383b86b3c3ff9db6ceb06bf73.jpg)
Common symptoms for cardiac conditions
Learn about symptoms commonly associated with various heart conditions. If you believe you are feeling any acute symptoms, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
For less urgent concerns, like mild ankle swelling, the highly skilled and experienced teams at Scripps can assess your symptoms and recommend the right tests and imaging to diagnose a possible cardiovascular condition.
Atherosclerotic disease
Atherosclerotic disease is the thickening of fatty plaque in arteries, preventing adequate blood flow and possibly causing blood clots.
Possible symptoms include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Neck pain
Causes can include:
- Plaque buildup
- Inactive lifestyle
- Unhealthy diet
- Smoking
Arrhythmia
An arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat, either in speed or strength. It's caused by a malfunction in the heart's electrical system.
Possible symptoms include:
- Palpitations (fluttering or skipping a beat)
- Racing heartbeats
- Sweating
- Slow heartbeats
- Chest tightness
- Fainting
- Shortness of breath
- Dizzy spells
Causes can include:
- Congenital heart defects
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol or caffeine
- Stress
Congenital defects
Congenital defects are heart issues present at birth.
Possible symptoms include:
- Swelling in the legs, ankles or abdomen
- Skin tone pale blue or gray (cyanosis)
- Tiredness
- Shortness of breath
Causes can include:
- Congenital defects are often the result of the heart not healing in the first hours or days of a newborn’s life. Medications and infections can affect a baby’s heart development.
- Congenital defects can develop in adults, or symptoms of a defect may increase with other contributing factors.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disease specifically of the heart’s muscle tissue.
Possible symptoms include:
- Swelling in feet, ankles and abdomen
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Indigestion
- Fainting
Causes can include:
- Obesity
- Plaque buildup
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Age
Valvular disease
Valvular disease is a problem with the valves between the heart chambers that keep blood flowing in the correct direction.
Possible symptoms include:
- Swelling in feet, ankles and abdomen
- Shortness of breath
- Lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Fatigue
Causes can include:
- Rheumatic fever
- Infection