6 Signs of Heart Problems Even Young People Should Know

It’s also worth noting that if you smoke; have a substance use disorder, diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol; or have a family history of heart problems, you’ve got a much higher chance of developing heart disease than someone who doesn’t fit that description, Frederick L. Ruberg, MD, the chief of cardiovascular medicine at Boston Medical Center, tells SELF.

2. You’re inexplicably dizzy or sometimes pass out.

When you faint, it usually means your brain is not getting enough blood flow, often because your blood pressure just plummeted. And repeatedly passing out for seemingly no reason is definitely not normal, Dr. Ruberg explains. While fainting at rest is the most tell-tale sign that a big health issue is at play, if you’re working out and constantly feel on the verge of passing out, that’s also a problem, Dr. Ruberg points out. “It’s normal to feel a little short of breath while exercising. It’s not normal to just lose consciousness if you really feel like you’re going to pass out when you’re exerting yourself.”

Still, you don’t have to fully collapse to suspect a heart issue. Feeling overwhelming dizziness while you’re at rest or moving can be cause for concern too, Dr. Ruberg says. But before you let your health anxiety run wild, keep in mind that a ton of other things can cause these symptoms, like vertigo, dehydration, low blood sugar, or an ear infection. So bring them up to your doc, especially if you’re dealing with other unusual symptoms.

3. You feel (some sort of) pressure in your upper body.

There’s a huge array of things that can cause a weighty, tight feeling in your upper torso—after all, it’s where your lungs, parts of your digestive tract, and heart all kind of squish together. However, chest pain tends to be a prominent sign that heart disease might be present, says Dr. Bart. “It signals that you’ve got a problem with your blood supply.”

Again, it can be hard to pinpoint where exactly the pressure stems from, but Dr. Bart tends to hear a few common phrases from her patients. “Some people describe it like an elephant sitting on their chest,” she says. “Others describe the pressure as much more subtle, or they’ll feel nothing at all. There’s a whole spectrum and everyone’s different.” You might also notice some pain radiating down your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back, or even liken the sensation to indigestion, per the American Heart Association.

You could also feel nauseous, puke, or break out in a cold sweat. So how can you tell if it’s your heart rather than a case of food poisoning? That can be really challenging, but Dr. Bart says that any sudden pain you can’t explain is worth bringing to a doctor—anything “not your usual,” she notes.

4. Your heartbeat skyrockets out of nowhere or you’re having unexplained panic attacks.

Your pulse can ramp up for any number of reasons—say, you’re out for a run, you guzzled a bunch of coffee, or your crush just sent you a spicy text. But if your heart seems to flutter uncontrollably at rest, or it’s not beating as steadily as it once did, an underlying heart issue might be at play. “Palpitations can feel like this thumping in your chest, and you can sense that your heart is beating irregularly,” Dr. Bart explains. “You might suddenly get dizzy and feel like you need to sit down.”