sign in 
Medical
Early Warning Signs of Heart Disease You Might Miss
Your body whispers before it screams. Here are the early heart disease warning signs most people overlook until it’s too late.
.jpg)
Does heart disease strike out of nowhere?
Most people think heart issues come out of nowhere, but that’s rarely true. A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that 99 per cent of people show early warning signs, sometimes years before a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure ever happens.
Constant tiredness? Not normal.
If you’re exhausted all the time for no clear reason, it could be more than stress. Unexplained fatigue is one of the body’s early signals that the heart may not be pumping as well as it should, making everyday tasks feel heavier than usual.
Breathless after climbing just one flight of stairs?
Feeling unusually breathless during mild activity isn’t something to brush off. Shortness of breath, especially when it feels out of proportion to what you’re doing, can be an early sign of heart strain, often mistaken for ageing or low stamina.
Heart symptoms aren’t always loud.
Not all heart trouble shows up as intense chest pain. Sometimes it appears as a dull pressure, jaw tightness, back discomfort, arm heaviness, or even sensations similar to indigestion. In fact, 20-50 per cent of heart attacks are silent, which makes these subtle signs even more important.
Your skin also shows warning signs.
Your skin can reveal what’s happening inside. Unusual dryness, slow-healing patches, or discolouration may signal poor circulation or insulin resistance, two factors closely linked to heart disease.
Leg cramps while walking?
If your calves tighten or hurt while walking, it may be a sign of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). This happens when leg arteries narrow, and it significantly increases the risk of a future heart attack.
“My BP is slightly high, but manageable.”
We often downplay small changes in blood pressure or cholesterol, but they matter. These early shifts can indicate heart trouble up to a decade before any major issues arise.
Poor sleep? Waking up tired? Palpitations at night?
Sleep issues, especially sleep apnea, place extra stress on the heart. These symptoms often appear long before any noticeable cardiac event, making them important early warning signs.
Quick facts to remember
Nearly 1 in 3 heart attacks are silent, causing damage without clear warning. Even fit and active people can develop heart disease. Women may feel nausea, jaw pain, or back discomfort instead of classic chest pain. Lifestyle factors, such as stress, poor diet, and physical inactivity, often exacerbate heart conditions over time.
So what should you do next?
Pay attention to patterns of fatigue, breathlessness, and unusual discomfort. Monitor your lipid levels regularly and get routine lab tests to move a step towards feeling your best. Keep an eye on your BP, sugar, and cholesterol. Consult a doctor early, don’t wait for a big symptom.
Take your first step with a health check that helps you choose the plan that best suits you.
Related Services
When you’re looking to take your exercise regime to the next level, head to UR.Life Studio. Get a personalised health risk assessment done by the URLife health experts.
Get a comprehensive range of wellness services promote optimum well-being for unique holistic health and customised rehab programs based on health conditions.
Enhance your proactive fitness experience with URLife fitness program.
EXPLORE MORE
Baldness isn’t just about ageing; it’s a complex condition influenced by biology, habits, and health. Understanding it is the first step toward managing it.
Breast cancer before 40 is rare, but not impossible. Know these warning signs so you can spot them well in time.
Osteopenia and osteoporosis sit on the same spectrum, but the impact on your health isn’t the same. Here’s what to know.
.jpg)
Curious about brain supplements but tired of marketing claims? Here’s a clear, research-backed look at what actually works.
