Unusual Heart Symptoms: What to Watch For

A cardiologist has alerted the medical community about unexpected symptoms that could indicate a serious heart problem. Kaustubh Dabhadkar, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an authority in preventive cardiology. He shared with Newsweek the common question his patients pose: ‘What symptoms should we be aware of?’

Dabhadkar explained, ‘Typically, we mention the textbook symptoms like chest pressure during exertion that travels to the arm or jaw. These are easier to recognize and diagnose.’ However, he noted, ‘Atypical symptoms present a different challenge— they are harder to diagnose and can be easily overlooked.’

A 2025 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology highlighted a critical finding. More than 99 percent of individuals who developed coronary artery disease, heart failure, or stroke had at least one risk factor beforehand. Common risk factors include high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, and a history of smoking.

Dabhadkar reminded fellow cardiologists of an essential cardiology ‘rule’ using a past hospital experience. The heart, he emphasized, lacks a direct signal for pain. In a recent post on his Threads account, @heart.doc.kd, he recounted an incident where a patient’s supposed ‘earache’ turned out to be a heart attack. An EKG, or electrocardiogram, confirmed the issue by showing that a major artery was compromised. Once the artery was treated, the ear pain subsided.

This case illustrates a crucial lesson: heart issues might manifest as unusual symptoms due to shared nerve pathways. The brain can misinterpret signals, leading to ‘referred pain.’

Dabhadkar indicated that symptoms of a heart attack can include unusual signs like persistent cold sweats, which patients often dismiss. ‘Unless patients understand atypical presentations, many won’t seek further evaluation,’ he noted. Statistics show about a third of heart attack patients don’t experience chest pain. While younger patients under 65 often report chest pain, it’s rare for those over 85.

Symptoms mistaken for other issues can include pain in the jaw, teeth, throat, upper back, or unexplained breathlessness and fatigue. He remains vigilant with ‘new’ and ‘unexplained’ symptoms that emerge with effort and relieve with rest. Indicators like cold sweat, nausea, or a feeling something is amiss prompt him to order an EKG.

Though adding ‘ear lobes’ to heart attack checklists isn’t necessary, Dabhadkar stressed the value of caution. ‘I’d rather respond to a hundred false alarms than overlook one genuine heart attack,’ he emphasized.