Cardiologist warns fatigue and swelling can be early signs of heart disease

Heart disease doesn't always announce itself with sharp chest pain — in many cases, the first warning signs are far more subtle. That's the message from Ginta Kamzola, cardiologist and head of the Heart Failure Working Group at the Latvian Society of Cardiologists, shared on World Heart Day.

Signs that often go unnoticed

According to Kamzola, heart conditions can show up as persistent fatigue, shortness of breath during everyday activity, swelling in the legs or other parts of the body, and a gradual decline in the ability to do things that once felt effortless. These symptoms are frequently not linked to the heart at all — people tend to attribute them to age, being overweight, or other pre-existing health issues, which often delays a visit to the doctor.

Why early recognition matters

Kamzola emphasizes that the sooner heart disease is identified, the greater the chance of halting its progression or keeping it under control. This means that ordinary complaints — ongoing tiredness, breathlessness, or swelling — deserve serious attention, since they can be key to timely diagnosis and treatment.

The reminder comes as part of World Heart Day, when specialists worldwide draw public attention to cardiovascular health, urging people not to dismiss the body's warning signals even when they seem minor or easily explained by other causes.