15. Persistent Throat or Jaw Pain – The Aching Alert of Heart Disorders
Our final symptom, persistent throat or jaw pain, is one that many might not associate with heart issues. However, any pain in these areas that can’t be explained by sinus problems, muscle strain, or other obvious causes could be a sign of heart trouble and should not be ignored.
Just like the discomfort or pain in other parts of the body we discussed earlier, throat or jaw pain can also be a sign of a heart condition due to referred pain. During a heart attack, pain signals from the heart can be misinterpreted by the brain as originating from the jaw or throat due to shared nerve pathways.
It’s important to note that heart-related jaw or throat pain often comes on suddenly and can escalate with exertion. In many cases, it might also be accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness.
Again, while jaw or throat pain can be due to various reasons, including dental issues, infections, or arthritis, unexplained or persistent pain in these areas, particularly if it’s accompanied by other potential heart-related symptoms, warrants a prompt medical evaluation. (15)
