Coronary Heart Disease - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Signs, Symptoms, and Complications

An acute coronary event, such as a heart attack, may cause the following symptoms:

• Angina, which can feel like pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness during physical activity. The pain or discomfort usually starts behind the breastbone, but it can also occur in the arms, shoulders, jaw, throat, or back. The pain may feel like indigestion.
• Cold sweats
• Dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Nausea or a feeling of indigestion
• Neck pain
• Shortness of breath, especially with activity
• Sleep disturbances
• Weakness

Women are somewhat less likely than men to experience chest pain. Instead, they are more likely to experience:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Pressure or tightness in the chest
• Stomach pain

Women are also more likely than men to have no symptoms of coronary heart disease.

Chronic (long-term) coronary heart disease can cause symptoms such as the following:

• Angina
• Shortness of breath with physical activity
• Fatigue
• Neck pain

The symptoms may get worse as the buildup of plaque continues to narrow the coronary arteries. Chest pain or discomfort that does not go away or happens more often or while you are resting might be a sign of a heart attack. If you do not know whether your chest pain is angina or a heart attack, call 9-1-1 right away. All chest pain should be checked by a doctor.

Coronary heart disease can cause serious complications, including the following:

• Acute coronary syndrome, including angina or heart attack
• Arrhythmia
• Heart failure
• Cardiogenic shock
• Sudden cardiac arrest

Complications of coronary heart disease can be life-threatening and may lead to disability.