Chest discomfort while engaged in physical activity should arouse suspicion for cardiac problems. This discomfort does not have to be a severe pain to be serious and dangerous. Often it is tightness, fullness, or heaviness that is located in the middle of your chest. Any association with shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, light-headedness, or weakness should be considered an indication of potentially serious cardiac symptoms.

Shortness of breath while lying down could be a symptom of a weak heart where the heart is not able to pump a normal amount of blood. Shortness of breath during physical activity could be a feature of CAD (Coronary Artery Disease). If activities that previously did not cause shortness of breath now do, it is a warning sign.

Normally we are not aware of our heart beating. Awareness of your heartbeat during physical activity and during emotional excitement is usually normal. The feeling of a skipped heartbeat or fluttering in the chest can be warning signs for an irregular heartbeat. Feeling rapid heartbeats while resting is abnormal and indicates a potential cardiac problem. Presence of lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting with these symptoms could point to serious cardiac problems.

Leg swelling, especially when located around the ankles, could be an indication of a weak heart. Weight-gain and shortness of breath along with leg swelling are strong indications for potential heart failure.

While it is commonly known that arthritis or joint problems cause pain during walking, poor blood flow to the legs can also create this symptom. Any leg discomfort that you feel while walking but goes away with rest needs evaluation for blood flow restriction in the legs.