AARP Hearing Center
When it comes to heart health, the American Heart Association has warned that chest pain or discomfort in one or both arms can be a warning sign of a heart issue and to see a doctor right away.
Crushing pain in the chest is another warning sign of ticker trouble, but some indications of health issues are not as obvious and can often be mistaken or ignored.
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Here are seven warning signs that may be cause for concern.
1. Tearing sensation
If you feel a tearing sensation in your back, you may think you’ve pulled a muscle. But if you haven’t done any physical activity to cause a muscle injury, this sensation might be much more serious. It could be a rupture of the aorta. An aorta rupture can give the sensation of sudden, severe, stabbing pain in the back. If this type of pain persists for more than 20 minutes and it’s accompanied by nausea, seek immediate medical attention.
2. Crushing chest pain
One of the more well-known warning signs is crushing chest pain, which is usually associated with a heart attack. Other heart-woe indicators are tightness, heavy pressure or squeezing in the chest. The pain may also travel to the arm, shoulder, jaw or back.
Even if it’s not from a heart attack, you should not ignore chest pain. Crushing chest pain with nausea, vomiting and sweating is dangerous, so call 911 right away.
3. Tingling in the arms or other extremities
A tingling sensation in your hands, arms, legs or feet is not only uncomfortable but also a cause for concern. Tingling is easy to ignore, but it is a sign from the body of illness.
Tingling is related to circulation problems and diseases such as anemia, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and Buerger’s disease — a condition of the arteries and veins. Tingling in the feet may also be a sign of kidney issues.
If tingling is your only symptom, you can wait to see your regular doctor to investigate. But a tingling sensation that lasts for more than an hour and is accompanied by other symptoms like dizziness and nausea requires immediate medical help.
4. Dizziness
Dizziness or lightheadedness can be caused by disturbances in the brain, the gastrointestinal system, vision or the inner ear. Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms that cause people to seek medical attention.
