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Listen to Your Heart: 3 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Maryland Medical First P.A. Blog Listen to Your Heart: 3 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Listen to Your Heart: 3 Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Heart issues don’t always start with severe pain or sudden distress. Sometimes the first signs look like everyday changes you barely notice — a little chest tightness, getting winded faster than usual, or feeling dizzy once in a while. These symptoms can still point to a heart concern.

At Maryland Medical First P.A. in Parkville, Maryland, Narender Bharaj, MD, evaluates these early clues every day. Many heart problems develop slowly, so paying attention to early symptoms helps you address concerns before they become more serious.

Here are three warning signs you should never ignore.

1. Chest discomfort that feels new or unexplained

Chest symptoms might not feel sudden or sharp, like they do in the movies. You may notice pressure, tightness, heaviness, or a burning sensation. Some patients describe it as an object sitting on their chest or a feeling that doesn’t match what they’re doing physically.

Chest discomfort deserves attention when it:

Chest discomfort can also accompany nausea, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or pain that moves into your jaw, neck, back, shoulder, or arm — all of which are possible signs of a heart attack. If you notice these patterns, seek urgent evaluation.

2. Shortness of breath that doesn’t match your activity level

Feeling winded after a long walk or a tough workout is normal. What isn’t normal is struggling to catch your breath during activities that typically feel easy. Shortness of breath can appear when the heart isn’t pumping efficiently or when fluid begins to accumulate in your lungs.

Pay attention if you find yourself:

Shortness of breath can also be a primary symptom during a heart attack, especially in women, older adults, and people with diabetes. If breathing suddenly feels harder or more uncomfortable than usual, it’s important to get evaluated promptly.

3. Dizziness, fainting, or a racing heartbeat

Brief lightheadedness can occur from dehydration or from standing up too quickly. Persistent dizziness, fainting episodes, or a heartbeat that feels unusually fast or irregular can be tied to rhythm problems or reduced blood flow.

You should take these symptoms seriously when they:

Rhythm changes sometimes reflect an arrhythmia that needs timely treatment. Sudden dizziness or fainting combined with chest symptoms is always a reason to seek care immediately.

When to contact a doctor

New or recurring symptoms are often your body’s way of signaling that something has changed. If your symptoms feel sudden, severe, or clearly different from your normal experience, treat them as urgent. If they’ve been coming and going over days or weeks, schedule an appointment soon so we can evaluate them before they progress.

At Maryland Medical First P.A., Dr. Bharaj provides comprehensive cardiac evaluation, including blood pressure checks, electrocardiograms, and review of risk factors to help determine your next steps.

To schedule your appointment, call 410-661-4670 or request a visit through our online booking tool.

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