5 Signs Your Heart Is in Serious Danger (That Most People Completely Ignore)
5. Shortness of Breath While Lying Flat
Do you find yourself needing to prop your head up with two or three pillows at night just to breathe comfortably? Known as orthopnea, shortness of breath that worsens when you lie flat on your back is a hallmark symptom of heart failure.
When you lie down, the fluid that was pooling in your legs and feet during the day naturally redistributes into your bloodstream and settles into your chest area. If your heart isn’t strong enough to process that sudden shift in volume, the fluid overwhelms your lungs, making you feel like you are suffocating until you sit back up.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
While the signs above warrant a prompt doctor’s appointment, some symptoms require an immediate call to emergency services. Do not wait if you experience:
- A feeling of pressure, tightness, squeezing, or aching in your chest or arms that may spread to your neck, jaw, or back.
- Sudden, unexplained shortness of breath accompanied by a cold sweat.
- A rapid, pounding, or highly irregular heartbeat that lasts for more than a few minutes.
Your heart does so much work for you every single day—make sure you are listening when it tries to tell you something is wrong. Saving your life could be as simple as paying attention to your feet.
