Symptom 10. Chest Pain: An Ominous Warning from the Heart
Chronic heart failure can often manifest as chest pain, an alarming symptom that must never be taken lightly. In many cases, this pain stems from a condition called ischemic heart disease, which is a result of poor blood flow to the heart muscle. Essentially, your heart is crying out for oxygen, and the chest pain is its way of alerting you of this dire need.
Angina, the medical term for chest pain, can manifest in several ways. It might feel like a crushing or burning sensation, or it could be a dull ache. It’s not uncommon for people to mistake this pain for indigestion or heartburn. The crucial distinction, however, is that angina tends to worsen with physical activity and usually eases with rest.
Apart from the nature and intensity of the pain, the area where the discomfort radiates can also be an important clue. While chest pain is usually felt in the central or left side of the chest, it can spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or even the stomach. Recognizing this pattern can help differentiate heart-related chest pain from other causes.
Unfortunately, it’s not always straightforward. Angina can sometimes be ‘silent’, especially in individuals with diabetes. This means that the expected chest pain may be absent, and other symptoms like breathlessness or fatigue might take the spotlight. Silent angina is particularly insidious as it can delay the diagnosis of underlying heart disease. (10)
