Conditions that imitate heart attack or heart failure: what to know

ahsan65@gmail.comSeptember 2, 2025

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Conditions that imitate heart attack or heart failure: what to know

The chest pain and breathlessness are two symptoms that draw your attention quickly, potentially signaling a heart attack if they suddenly arise. And if they develop gradually and aggravate over time, these symptoms may indicate heart failure, a chronic condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body.

However, these symptoms do not always indicate heart problems.

“All thoracic pain or shortness of breath are not caused by the heart, but the heart is often the first thing we are concerned, because it is the most vital,” explains Eman Hamad, MD, director of the advanced cardiac insufficiency and transplantation at the University Hospital Temple in Philadelphia. “Many conditions, from anxiety to acid reflux to muscle tension, can imitate the symptoms of heart disease.”

1. Stomach gru

The chest pain that burns or often radiate stomach burns or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), the medical term for chronic stomach burns.

“This is something that we fluent in the [emergency room]Patients combined by a heart attack, ”explains Carey Kimmelstiel, MD, director of the interventional cardiology center tofts medicine in Boston.

Sometimes there are ways to make a difference at home. If you have RGC history, your symptoms are likely when you rest. Or you could miss other symptoms of heart attack such as shortness of breath or perspiration, explains Dr. Kimmelstiel. In such cases, you wouldn’t need to go to the emergency room, he said.

Unfortunately, these differences are not always reliable indicators, especially for women, which are more likely to feel symptoms of atypical heart attacks such as stomach burns or indigestion shortly before a heart attack.

“If in doubt, it is the surest to be assessed,” said Dr. Hamad.

2. Anxiety and panic attacks

Anxiety and panic attacks are common causes of chest, racing and breathlessness, which may resemble a heart attack a lot. Panic attacks also tend to come suddenly, making you feel dizzy, stung and a feeling of imminent misfortune.

Neither anxiety nor panic attacks are caused by heart problems, and even the heart palpitations that have struck during a panic crisis are not really dangerous for your heart, explains Kimmelstiel. The thoracic symptoms caused by anxiety or panic attacks are not linked to physical exertion, while symptoms of heart attack emphasize with activity. Symptoms of panic attack also tend to calm down in an hour, but the symptoms of the heart attack are not released.

On the other hand, it is possible to have anxiety and heart problems coexisting simultaneously. “This is why it is essential not to assume that your symptoms are simply [caused by] Stress, “explains Hamad.” Evaluation is the only way to be sure. »»

3. Muscle pain

Sudden and lively discomfort around your chest, your shoulders or the upper back could be caused by a wound like a muscle of the chest or bruised or broken ribs.

This is particularly true if it seems that the pain has been triggered by a specific activity (like lifting a heavy box) and that the pain vanishes when you try to redo the activity, or if the area is tender when you press it, explains Kimmelstiel.

You can face an injury instead of a heart attack if the pain falls apart after a few minutes, improves or worsens when you change positions, or is located in a small area rather than radiating to other parts of the upper body such as your neck, jaw or arms.

Again, have the problem checked if you have doubts, especially if you have risk factors for heart disease, explains Hamad.

4. Bardons

The thoracic muscle pain can also result from zona, a viral infection caused by the chickenpox-zony, the same virus which causes chickenpox.

Hamad says that it is particularly common before a rash appears near the chest.

The pain of the areas tends to feel deeply, burning or shooting. You may also have itching or tingling around the affected area, which can also include your face, neck, stomach or back. The infection also causes pseudo-scriptable symptoms, such as fever, chills, headaches and even the discomfort of the stomach.

Let your doctor know if you think you have shingles. Treatments such as antiviral drugs and corticosteroids can help you recover more quickly and potentially avoid serious complications.

5. Cardiac inflammation

Sometimes an infection of the upper respiratory tract can temporarily ignite the heart. When inflammation affects the lining of the heart, it is called pericarditis. When it affects the heart muscle itself, it is called myocarditis. “It can be very common among young people,” says Kimmelstiel. “We have seen a lot during [the] COVID 19 [pandemic]. “”

Pericarditis and myocarditis can cause symptoms of heart attack, including chest pain and shortness of breath. The chest pain caused by pericarditis tends to improve when you sit down and lean forward. Myocarditis can also cause swelling of the legs or feet, heart palpitations and fatigue.

Sometimes these symptoms are soft and disappear alone. Other times, without treatment, they can be serious enough to cause long -term complications such as blood clots or heart failure, so it is important to be checked quickly.

6. Thyroid problems

Hyperactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause symptoms that imitate heart disease, largely due to the fact that thyroid plays a key role by helping the heart to maintain a normal rhythm.

If your thyroid is hyperactive, you could feel a heart of racing, shortness of breath or fatigue, which can all look like a arrhythmia or even heart failure, explains Hamad. An underactive thyroid, on the other hand, can cause liquid retention and a slow heart rate (bradycardia), which is sometimes confused with cardiac dysfunction, she says.

Your health care provider can determine if a thyroid problem leads to your heart symptoms with a simple blood test, indicating if your thyroid does too much or too few thyroid hormones.

7. Pulmonary conditions like Mpoc

Slesight and waterproofing or discomfort of the chest are common characteristics of many different breathing problems. These symptoms can suddenly come from conditions such as pulmonary embolism, pneumonia or pneumothorax (air between lung and chest wall) and are sometimes indistinguishable from a heart attack, explains Hamad.

Other pulmonary problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (MPOC), can cause respiratory and thoracic symptoms which slowly worsen over time. Remember to take your breath, frequent cough, heavy chest, fatigue and swelling in your lower limbs, many of which may resemble heart failure.

Pulmonary problems differ from heart attacks or heart failure, but they are still serious. So if you have symptoms, ask for quick medical care to determine exactly what’s going on and how to treat it.

8. Kidney disease and liver disease

Renal disease and liver diseases can sometimes look like heart failure. “Because the heart, the lungs, the kidneys and the liver work together to regulate liquid, oxygen and metabolism, symptoms overlap,” explains Hamad.

Renal disease and heart failure, for example, can cause shortness of breath caused by fluid overload. And like heart failure, liver disease can cause chest, fatigue and swelling, explains Hamad.

If you have one of these current symptoms, make an appointment to consult your doctor. They can carry out tests to determine the deep cause and decide a treatment plan appropriate for you.

When to see a doctor

Look for medical care at any time regarding chest symptoms. While some symptoms justify a trip to the emergency room, others may wait to be sent to the office of your doctor.

According to Hamad, you should call your doctor for:

Light thoracic discomfort, in short or clearly linked to the movement

Fatigue, palpitations or swelling that does not improve

Family history of heart disease or new wave symptoms

She recommends going directly to the emergency room for the symptoms of a possible heart attack, in particular:

Chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes

Raying pain on the arm, jaw or back

Shortness of breath

Nausea, perspiration or dizziness

Irregular or very fast heart rate

The point to take away

A certain number of health problems can imitate the heart attack and the symptoms of heart disease such as chest pain and breathlessness.

Stomach burns, anxiety and muscles drawn in or near the chest can arise in the same way as a heart attack, but they can generally be assessed and treated safely at the office of your doctor rather than requiring a trip to the emergency room.

Certain infections, thyroid problems, pulmonary conditions, kidney disease and liver disease may also have symptoms that imitate heart disease and should be evaluated and treated quickly to avoid complications.

Although you do not feel a heart attack, it is important to consult a doctor at any time concerning the symptoms of the chest.