Heart disease doesn’t show up the same way for everyone. For some people, it’s chest pain or shortness of breath. For others, it’s fatigue, anxiety, or a general sense that something isn’t right.

For many, symptoms shift depending on activity, stress, or other health conditions.

In a recent MyHeartDiseaseTeam poll, members were asked, “Which type of symptom affects your day most lately?” Here’s how people responded:

• 48.3 percent — Physical symptoms
• 18.6 percent — Emotional symptoms like stress or anxiety
• 8.3 percent — Mental symptoms like brain fog
• 24.8 percent — Varies day to day or chose “other”

We reviewed dozens of community responses, and one trend stood out: Most people aren’t dealing with just one symptom, and what feels most difficult can change over time.

Shortness of Breath That Limits Activity

Shortness of breath can make everyday tasks feel exhausting. It may happen during activity or even with simple movements like bending over.

One MyHeartDiseaseTeam member shared, “Frequent bouts of shortness of breath as if I’m drowning, with a dull pain in the center of my chest.”

Chest Pain and Discomfort That Raise Concern

Chest symptoms can feel different for everyone — sharp, dull, tight, or pressure-like — and they often bring uncertainty.

One member said, “I have chest discomfort daily, however, I have other issues that can cause chest pain.”

Another shared that they have shortness of breath “and chest pain during exercise.”

Fatigue and Low Energy

Many members also described ongoing fatigue that affects their stamina and daily routines.

One member shared, “Tiredness and fatigue are my worst problems. Always tired.”

Heart Rhythm Changes Like AFib

Irregular heart rhythms can add another layer of symptoms, including palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. One common example is atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition in which the heart beats irregularly and sometimes too fast, which can affect how well blood flows through the body.

Some MyHeartDiseaseTeam members described shortness of breath and heart rate changes with AFib, such as going from 80 beats per minute to 140. “Going to have that corrected again next week for the second time in five years,” one member wrote.

These symptoms can feel unpredictable and may need ongoing monitoring and care.

Cognitive symptoms (those affecting thinking, memory, or focus) may not be as widely reported among people with heart disease, but they can still affect how people think, plan, and respond to symptoms.

For many MyHeartDiseaseTeam members, the biggest challenge isn’t just how they feel — it’s figuring out what those feelings mean.

One member shared, “I have chest discomfort daily, however, I have other issues that can cause chest pain. My GP just says go to hospital if worried.”

Another described the constant need to track changes: “Just put on 24-hour blood pressure device today because it had been too high regularly, but had bouts where it would get very low.”

This kind of uncertainty can make it harder to focus, make decisions, or feel confident about what to do next.

Emotional challenges are a major part of living with heart disease for many people. Worry about symptoms — and what they might mean — can be constant.

“Any/all symptoms give me anxiety because I hate hospitals ... especially when I’m not feeling well,” one MyHeartDiseaseTeam member shared.

Another wrote, “I feel stress more often than I did. I feel nervous more often.”

These emotional experiences can affect sleep, energy, and overall well-being.

About a quarter of respondents said their symptoms vary day to day — and many member comments reflect that unpredictability.

One MyHeartDiseaseTeam member wrote, “It varies with activity but find that I have to rest after two days of strenuous activity.”

Other health conditions can make it harder to tell what’s causing symptoms. One member wrote, “Having both chronic bronchial asthma, ischemic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease. … Makes it very hard to determine just what is acting up.”

This variability can make it harder to plan activities or feel confident about how you’ll feel from one day to the next.

Join the Conversation

On MyHeartDiseaseTeam, people share their experiences with heart disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Which type of symptom affects your day the most — physical, mental, or emotional? Or does it change from day to day? Let others know in the comments below.