Heart disease is a major problem throughout the world. Being one of the top killers globally, doctors often urge people to understand the symptoms and early signs of heart issues. While there are many emergency treatments people go for when a health situation like a heart attack, stroke, or blockage arises, it is best to take preventative measures as the results are better when you catch the issue early. When one says heart issues, people often picture a person feeling chest pains and heavy breathing. While there is one sign of deteriorating heart health, there are other more subtle signs as well. Here are some overlooked signs of heart health, according to the British Heart Foundation Swollen Ankles Can Signal Heart Trouble Swollen ankles or feet can be a quiet but important sign that your heart isn't working as well as it should. If your heart isn't pumping efficiently, blood can build up in other parts of your body, causing fluid to collect. While swelling can also happen from standing a lot or other health issues, ongoing or unexplained swelling, especially with breathlessness or tiredness, might mean heart failure or circulation problems. If swelling continues or gets worse, it's vital to get medical advice. Stomach Pain: More Than Just Indigestion? Sometimes, stomach pain can be a sign of heart issues, even though it's often mistaken for indigestion. Because these symptoms can feel like common stomach problems, they're often overlooked. If your stomach pain won't go away, happens when you exert yourself, or comes with breathlessness, tiredness, or sweating, it's important to see a doctor to rule out more serious concerns. Unexpected Sweating Can Be a Red Flag Sweating a lot without a clear reason, like heat or exercise, can be an early warning sign of heart problems. If you start to feel hot and clammy along with chest pains, you should get urgent medical help right away. Arm and Leg Pain Leg pain or cramps in your calves could signal peripheral artery disease (PAD), where blood vessels in your legs are narrowed or blocked. This type of pain, especially during activity, means less blood is flowing to your muscles. Having PAD can increase your risk of heart disease or stroke. If you have ongoing leg pain or cramping during activity, talk to a healthcare professional. Arm pain can also be a key warning sign of a heart attack, often feeling like pain spreading from your chest to your arms. This can come with other symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath. If you have unexplained arm pain with these signs, get medical help immediately. Persistent Tiredness: A Sign Your Heart Needs Checking Constant fatigue, especially when you've had enough sleep and haven't overdone it, can be an early sign of poor heart health. If your heart isn't pumping well, your muscles and tissues get less oxygen-rich blood, making you feel constantly tired or weak. This is often noticeable during everyday activities that used to be easy, like climbing stairs. If you're unusually drained or have low energy often, consider a heart health check. There are even home tests available that can help you understand your heart age and risk factors. Palpitations and High Blood Pressure: Key Indicators Frequent or severe palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing or fluttering) can sometimes be harmless, but they might point to an underlying heart condition or an abnormal heart rhythm. One common abnormal rhythm, called atrial fibrillation, can increase your risk of a stroke. Pay attention to these feelings, especially if they come with dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath, and seek medical advice to manage your heart health. High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease. If your blood pressure is too high, it can damage your arteries. You can often get free blood pressure checks at pharmacies to help assess your heart health