Heart & circulation
Chest pain, palpitations, breathlessness on exertion and swollen ankles all deserve a proper cardiovascular assessment. Some patterns need emergency care; others are straightforward to manage in primary care.
Cardiovascular symptoms range from benign (harmless palpitations, brief dizziness on standing) to time-critical (heart attack, stroke, pulmonary embolism). A GP can perform an ECG, check blood pressure, take relevant bloods and decide whether onward cardiology assessment is needed.
Common symptom patterns
- · Central chest pain or pressure — needs urgent assessment
- · Palpitations at rest or on exertion
- · Breathlessness climbing stairs or lying flat
- · Ankle swelling worsening through the day
When to book a GP
- · Palpitations lasting minutes but self-terminating
- · Reduced exercise tolerance over weeks or months
- · New or worsening high blood pressure readings at home
When urgent help may be needed
- · Central chest pain, pressure or tightness — especially with sweating, nausea, or radiation to jaw/arm
- · Sudden severe breathlessness
- · Fainting with palpitations
- · Facial weakness, slurred speech or one-sided weakness
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department.
Symptoms in this category
Related blood & diagnostic tests
- · ECG
- · Lipid profile
- · HbA1c
- · Thyroid function
- · Full blood count
- · Kidney function
- · NT-proBNP where indicated
Related Aafiyah services
FAQs
Are palpitations always serious?+
No — many palpitations are benign and triggered by caffeine, stress, alcohol, dehydration or thyroid overactivity. However, palpitations with chest pain, fainting, or that occur during exercise should be assessed promptly. An ECG is a simple and useful first test.
Can chest pain be non-cardiac?+
Yes — muscular, reflux and anxiety-related chest pain are common. But chest pain in adults is treated as cardiac until proven otherwise, and any central pressing chest pain — especially with sweating, breathlessness or radiation to the arm or jaw — should be assessed as an emergency.
Other symptom categories
Concerned about heart & circulation symptoms?
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