---
title: "Heart Health: The Quiet Signs of Heart Disease"
url: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/heart-health-the-quiet-signs-of-heart-disease/"
type: post
date_published: 2024-02-20
date_modified: 2025-08-01
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  @type: Article
language: en-US
word_count: 964
reading_time: 5 min
canonical: "https://arizonacollege.edu/blog/heart-health-the-quiet-signs-of-heart-disease/"
featured_image: "https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Heart-Health-Month-Picture.jpg"
categories:
  - "Health & Wellness"
---

# Heart Health: The Quiet Signs of Heart Disease

_Written by Dr. Sheba Price, Nursing Faculty for Arizona College of Nursing_

---

What does heart health mean to you? It’s fair to say many of us think of heart
health as preventing a heart attack and may conjure up images of someone
clutching their chest. But heart attacks are only one type of heart disease that
affects heart health, and stabbing pain in the chest isn’t the only sign your
heart is in danger. We often ignore the quiet signs telling us our hearts need
attention.

Let’s focus on three heart diseases that contribute to increased
hospitalization, decreased quality of life, and increased risk of death. By
understanding the types of heart health and recognizing their symptoms, we can
better address our overall heart health.

## What is atrial fibrillation?

Have you ever felt that your heart rhythm was irregular, or your heart was
beating too fast? That’s what atrial fibrillation feels like. Atrial
fibrillation is a change in the heartbeat or rhythm where the top part of the
heart muscle quivers instead of contracting. Sometimes, people feel it come and
go or don’t feel any symptoms. Your risk increases with age, but it can affect
younger individuals, too.

Atrial fibrillation, left unaddressed, can cause blood clots, increasing the
risk of organ damage, stroke, heart failure, and death. Atrial fibrillation may
present as recognizable symptoms of heart diseases like palpitations and chest
pain. Other common symptoms can be shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and
reduced ability to exercise. Both men and women are at risk for developing
atrial fibrillation, but men tend to develop symptoms more often than women, so
women should pay close attention to anything that feels not of the ordinary.

## What is coronary artery disease?

![Heart Health Month Picture](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Heart-Health-Month-Picture.jpg)![Heart Health Month Picture](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Heart-Health-Month-Picture.jpg)
Another disease of the heart is coronary artery disease (CAD). A diagnosis of
CAD means a reduction of blood flow to the heart muscle due to plaque buildup in
the heart’s arteries. It is also the most common of all heart diseases. If CAD
is left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to a heart attack. That’s why
your annual physical is essential to determine your risk of CAD. We repeatedly
hear about the importance of diet, exercise, and sleep, and for good reason. The
first line of defense against CAD is lifestyle changes. A buildup of plaque in
your arteries doesn’t appear overnight, so it’s never too early to practice
healthy habits that protect your heart.

High blood pressure and cholesterol are indicators that you could have CAD, and
both men and women can experience symptoms like chest pain, fatigue, and
sweating. Women, especially younger women, can experience lesser-known symptoms
like back pain, nausea, and vomiting.

## What is myocardial infarction (heart attack)?

Heart attacks or myocardial infarction are what we all fear. Myocardial
infarction occurs when there is a decrease or complete blockage of blood flow to
the heart muscle. Heart attacks are when blood flow is severely reduced or
completely blocked. The blockage is usually due to a buildup of fat or
cholesterol over time or a rupture of the blockage that forms a clot and stops
the blood flow to our heart.

Men are more likely to have a heart attack than women. However, women have an
increased rate of dying from a heart attack, often because they don’t recognize
the earlier symptoms of heart disease. The most common symptoms for both men and
women are chest, arm, and jaw. The pain can be dull, heavy, tight, or a crushing
sensation. Women tend to have atypical symptoms more often, such as nausea,
vomiting, shortness of breath, and fatigue. They can also experience sleepiness,
feelings of impending doom, and abdomen pain. It’s easy to explain away some of
these symptoms as feeling off or having stress. The reality is these symptoms
can indicate something much more serious.

## Taking Control of Heart Health

The bottom line is that very rarely do heart attacks come out of the blue.
Usually, there are signs that our health needs attention. The risk factors for
any heart disease are high blood pressure, smoking, alcohol abuse, high
cholesterol, diabetes, lack of exercise, stress, and obesity. Yes, age and
heredity play a role. But you can control most of your risk factors.

Even though atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and myocardial infarction are
serious issues that could lead to death, these diseases are manageable. The way
to manage any disease is to be informed and decide to care for your body. Don’t
ignore symptoms because they don’t feel like a severe heart issue. It’s better
to address any symptoms, no matter how small, than to fight advanced heart
disease. Your choices today go a long way to determining your future health.

---

![Nursing School Faculty Heart Health](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nursing-School-Faculty-Heart-Health.jpg)![Nursing School Faculty Heart Health](https://arizonacollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Nursing-School-Faculty-Heart-Health.jpg)
Dr. Sheba Price is a full-time Arizona College of Nursing faculty member with
over 33 years of nursing practice experience. Dr. Price is passionate about
providing care for vulnerable patient populations. She has worked in
neurosurgery, cardiac, medical-surgical, renal, and critical care. Dr. Price is
honored to be teaching and mentoring future nurses.

In tribute to her father, Dr. Price completed the Doctorate of Nursing Practice
(DNP) program from Samford University in 2022. She also holds a Master of
Science in Nursing Administration (MSN) from the University of South Alabama and
a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Mississippi University for Women.

**Categories:** Health & Wellness