A classic heart attack can be debilitating, painful, and even fatal if you do not take adequate and swift measures to get proper treatment. According to doctors, a few classic symptoms of a heart attack – like sweating profusely, gasping for air, and immense pain in the chest can alert anyone to a cardiac issue. However, heart troubles can also be subtle.

According to doctors, heart problems tend to show up differently in everyone - especially women and those with type 2 diabetes – who suffer from nerve damage that prevents them from feeling any kind of pain or discomfort. And so, doctors advise you to pay attention to the most understated symptoms.

Many times, you may experience palpitations which range from a slow to a fast heartbeat, without any exertion or strain. According to doctors, this sinking feeling – which is equivalent to traveling in an elevator that descends, can be a sign of heart trouble which needs an immediate visit to the hospital.

Palpitations also make your heart pound harder and faster, leading to arrhythmia – an irregular heartbeat that occurs when your heart beats too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm. According to experts, while some types of arrhythmias are harmless, others can be serious and lead to life-threatening conditions like cardiac arrest or heart failure.

For those who have tinnitus – a common perception of sound that causes ringing in your ears – can also be a sign of heart trouble. Doctors say while it is an atypical heart symptom, it does signify carotid artery stenosis – or narrowing of the carotid arteries which are large blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. This narrowing is usually caused by a buildup of plaque or cholesterol inside the artery walls, which increases the risk of a stroke.

It can also be a cause of rare vascular disease fibromuscular dysplasia, which is a rare blood vessel disorder that causes abnormal cell growth in the walls of arteries – making them become stiffer, narrower, or bulging. Doctors say the condition affects women more than 90 per cent of the time – and is usually ignored due to not being an emergency.

If you have not been able to walk a distance and are feeling painful cramps in your legs, do not ignore or self-medicate.

According to experts, the arteries in your legs, which are connected to your cardiovascular system can suffer from peripheral artery disease or PAD – which occurs when clogging leads to blockage, which increases the risk of a heart attack or a deadly stroke. Doctors say they usually diagnose PAD through a physical exam and by comparing the blood pressure in the arm and ankle.

If you have been noticing swelling in your legs, ankles, arms, or feet – it can be a telltale sign of congestive heart failure.

Also known as edema, the condition happens when there is a buildup of fluid in the body's tissues, leading to your heart not being able to pump blood properly. It causes the blood to pool in the veins – also leading to weight gain and a swollen belly.

If you have been having recurrent episodes of heartburn, stomach pain, belching, and indigestion, it can be more than a digestive issue.

According to doctors, chest pain – which is similar to indigestion can signal ischemic heart disease. Even though most people do not take it seriously or dismiss it as a run-of-the-mill gastrointestinal symptom, it is best to monitor it or see a doctor for clarity.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.