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Exercise is crucial for maintaining heart health, but recognising early warning signs of heart problems during physical activity is equally important. Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, or extreme fatigue during a workout should never be ignored. These can be early indicators of underlying heart conditions like arrhythmia, coronary artery disease, or even heart failure. Listening to your body and understanding the warning signs during exercise can help prevent serious cardiac events. Regular heart check-ups and awareness are essential, especially for those over 30 or with risk factors such as high blood pressure or a sedentary lifestyle.



Chest pain to dizziness: Early signs of heart attack while working out
A study published on PubMed highlights that many individuals tend to overlook subtle heart symptoms experienced during exercise, such as mild chest discomfort or irregular heartbeat. This neglect significantly increases the risk of serious cardiac events like heart attacks or arrhythmias. Recognising and responding to these early warning signs during physical activity can be crucial.


1. Chest pain or discomfort

A heavy, squeezing, or pressure‑like sensation in the chest, often radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back, is a red flag. Even mild discomfort that recurs with exertion should not be dismissed as mere muscle soreness or fatigue.


2. Excessive shortness of breath

Feeling breathless during intense exercise is expected, but struggling to breathe during light activity or while resting indicates that the heart may not be pumping efficiently.


3. Dizziness, light‑headedness, or fainting

These symptoms may signal a drop in blood pressure or abnormal rhythm, leading to insufficient blood flow to the brain. They should be treated with urgency.


4. Palpitations or irregular heartbeat

An unusually fast, fluttering, or skipped heartbeat may point to arrhythmias, heart rhythm disturbances that warrant immediate medical evaluation.


5. Overwhelming fatigue or weakness

Feeling excessively exhausted during or soon after mild activity, especially when it’s out of sync with your fitness level, could suggest an inability of the heart to supply proper blood flow to the body.



Additional signs and indicators of a heart attack

• Discomfort beyond the chest: Pain or pressure in the arms, neck, back, stomach, or jaw may also be early indicators of a cardiac episode.
• Excessive sweating, nausea, or feeling faint: When symptoms like these arise alongside chest discomfort or breathlessness, they may signal a heart attack.
• Swelling of the legs, ankles, or feet (edema): This can point to heart failure, as inadequate cardiac output causes fluid retention.

Who is at higher risk of exercise-induced heart attacks

• Individuals over 30 starting intense workouts after a sedentary lifestyle
• People with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol
• Smokers or those with a history of smoking
• Family history of heart disease or sudden cardiac arrest
• People experiencing high stress or poor sleep patterns

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