8 Signs You Should See a Cardiologist, According to Doctors

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2 days ago

Reviewed by Dietitian Kelli McGrane, M.S., RDHeart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.
Swelling, unexplained fatigue and chest pain are signs that you should see a cardiologist.
Regular check-ups with a healthcare professional are key for catching hidden or less obvious symptoms.Heart disease affects roughly 127.9 million Americans over the age of 20, making it the leading cause of death in the United States. Fortunately, thanks to ongoing research, it's becoming easier to prevent, detect and treat heart disease sooner. However, signs of heart disease aren't always obvious. We spoke with six doctors to better understand eight signs that may indicate a problem and are worth talking to a cardiologist about.
'This is likely the most infamous sign of a heart issue. Chest pain may be described as pressure, tightness, heaviness or burning, and it can spread to the arm, neck, jaw or back. Not all chest pain is cardiac-related, but ignoring it can be dangerous,' says Blen Tesfu, MD.
'Sometimes it is important to see a cardiologist sooner [rather] than later. Some symptoms, such as chest pain, could represent a serious heart issue that requires urgent or even emergency care. Evaluating potential heart problems can prevent them from getting worse and maybe even save your life,' adds Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center.
'If you feel you are short of breath doing regular activities like walking up stairs, carrying groceries or lying down, it could be more than being out of shape,' Tesfu explains. While being short of breath after physical activity isn't abnormal, if you notice a sudden change that doesn't improve over time, it's best to play it safe and talk with a healthcare professional.
Tesfu adds, 'Shortness of breath may be a sign that not enough blood is flowing out of the heart, which can be a sign of congestive heart failure or valve disease. A cardiologist can check how well your heart is working and determine if there's an underlying cardiovascular problem that should be addressed.'
'Some other less common signs of heart disease include feelings of rapid heartbeat and dizziness. If someone has feelings of rapid heartbeat (also referred to as palpitations), especially during exertion, this may also indicate significant underlying heart disease,' says Sheharyar Ali, MD, an interventional cardiologist.
'While occasional palpitations are typically benign, experiencing them at high frequency or for a longer duration could be a sign of arrhythmias, [which are] irregular heart rhythms that could raise your risk of stroke or cardiac arrest if not addressed,' adds Tesfu.
Chen highlights swelling of the feet or legs as another potential sign of heart disease. When your heart isn't working as well as it should, it can't pump blood efficiently and causes a backup of blood in your lower extremities, such as your calves or ankles. This can cause fluid to leak into surrounding tissues and result in a type of swelling known as edema.
Temporary swelling in your lower legs is fairly common and typically harmless. Hot weather, injury, high sodium intake, certain medications, pregnancy and sitting for long periods (like when taking a long flight) can cause extra fluid to pool in your feet or legs. On the other hand, swelling in both legs (bilateral swelling) that does not subside after a few days—especially when accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat or fatigue—are signs that should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease. It occurs when the force of blood pressing against your artery walls is consistently too high, making your heart work harder than it should. Over time, this added strain can weaken your heart and blood vessels and increase your risk of heart failure. 'High blood pressure does not always show symptoms, but over time it can quietly do damage and raise your chances of serious heart problems,' explains Michael Ross MacDonald, MD, senior cardiologist at The Harley Street Heart and Vascular Centre.
'Individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol also have a greater risk of developing heart disease and should be evaluated by a cardiologist,' adds Sergiu Darabant, MD, cardiologist at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute.
It's recommended that healthy adults have their blood pressure checked at least once a year, typically during their annual physical. You can also check your blood pressure using an at-home monitor or at your local pharmacy, though it's important to note that these methods may not be as accurate as having your levels tested by a trained healthcare professional.
Unexplained lightheadedness, dizziness or ongoing fatigue may also be signs of heart issues. 'This dizziness happens due to the inability of the heart to increase blood supply to the brain during exertion due to severe underlying blockages in the heart arteries,' says Ali.
'Brain fog or trouble concentrating is another one. People often assume it's stress or poor sleep, and many times, that's exactly what it is. But if it comes with low blood pressure, dizziness or fatigue, I might look into whether the heart's pumping efficiently enough to keep the brain properly supplied with oxygen,' adds Asim Cheema, MD, a cardiology specialist at Your Doctors Online.
It's not uncommon for individuals to experience multiple health conditions, known as comorbidities. Having comorbidities can increase a person's risk of developing other major health issues, such as heart disease. 'Individuals with high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol also have a greater risk of developing heart disease and should be evaluated by a cardiologist,' explains Darabant.
Health issues that increase your risk of heart disease include kidney disease, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), peripheral artery disease and overweight or obesity.
Having a family history of heart disease is another major risk factor for developing the condition and a good reason to book an appointment with a preventive cardiologist. 'If heart disease runs in your family, it is worth being extra cautious, even if you feel fine right now,' says MacDonald.
Darabant agrees, adding, 'A family history of heart disease is another important reason since inherited risks can play a major role in future problems and can strongly influence heart health.' He also emphasizes the importance of prevention through a healthy lifestyle. 'Unhealthy habits like smoking, being overweight or not exercising regularly add to the risk and make early cardiovascular intervention even more important,' he says. Of course, regular check-ups are also a smart way to stay on top of your health.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it's best to schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional, ideally a cardiologist. 'In cardiology, we're trained to look for patterns—not just dramatic symptoms, but the quiet ones that often get overlooked. The tricky part is that a lot of these signs could point to something heart-related—or they could be from something else entirely. That's why context matters so much,' says Cheema.
To help prevent or catch heart disease early, it's critical to schedule regular check-ups with a healthcare professional, such as a cardiologist or primary care physician.
Heart concerns should always be taken seriously and discussed with a healthcare professional. While people associate heart disease with obvious symptoms, like sudden, sharp chest pain, it can also present in more subtle and even silent ways. Tesfu urges, 'If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms—or even if you are just at high risk because of age, lifestyle or family history—a visit to a cardiologist can be a life-saving move.'
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