Symptom 10: Persistent Cough or Wheezing: An Overlooked Sign of a Heart Attack
Persistently coughing or wheezing could signify a problem beyond a simple cold or allergy, acting as a potential flag for an impending heart attack. Imagine having a lingering cough or a whistling sound in your chest, even when you’re not under the weather. This chronic respiratory distress, particularly if linked with other symptoms of heart trouble, might indicate something more grave.
Coughing associated with heart disease often seems stubborn and is resistant to typical cough remedies. The cough may be dry or produce a white or pink mucus, which is a potential sign of blood within the fluid. This troubling manifestation of blood, particularly if persistent, shouldn’t be ignored.
The wheezing or whistling sound that some people experience might feel like their airways are tightening. It’s often mistaken for an asthmatic symptom, but when connected to heart disease, it generally indicates fluid accumulation or congestion in the lungs – a condition termed as heart failure.
This coughing or wheezing symptom might feel worse during physical activity or when lying flat. This pattern adds another layer of complexity to the symptom as it confuses the individual, often leading them to ascribe the distress to some minor, unrelated issue. The reality, however, could be far more serious.(10)
