5. Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath
Woman suffering an anxiety attack alone in the night on a couch at home
Chest pain might be an indicator for a pulmonary embolism (PE), a serious condition where a blood clot travels to the lungs. “Both a PE and a heart attack share similar symptoms,” says Dr. Navarro. PE pain is usually sharp and worsens with deep breaths. Accompanying symptoms like sudden shortness of breath and a rapid heart rate require immediate medical intervention.3 “A blood clot in the chest area can feel like a heart attack, or can feel like a sharp and stabbing pain that gets worse with deep breaths,” says Dr. Navarro.
6. Unexplained Cough
Coughing into arm
A persistent, unexplained cough, especially if accompanied by shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, or chest pain, could be a sign of PE. “The cough will be dry, but sometimes people can cough up mucus and/or blood,” notes Dr. Navarro. At that point, if you aren’t already headed to the emergency room, you should be. According to Dr. Thomas Maldonado, a vascular surgeon at NYU Langone Medical Center, chest pain that feels worse with each breath and a sudden rapid heart rate are common indicators of a PE.
7. Racing Heart and Feeling Faint
