Maria suddenly felt a dull ache radiating from her jaw to her neck. At first, she thought it was just stress from a long day or perhaps a tight muscle from sitting too long. But as the pain lingered and she began to feel short of breath.
How Can You Tell if Jaw or Neck Pain Is Heart-Related?
Heart attacks and heart-related problems don’t always announce themselves with classic chest pain. In fact, pain often radiates or spreads from the chest to other areas, including the jaw, neck, arms, or back. This happens because the nerves in these regions are connected, causing the heart’s distress signals to be felt in the jaw or neck. For Maria, the dull jaw ache was her heart trying to communicate something important.
Medical experts confirm this link between jaw pain and heart attacks. Jaw pain can be an early sign when accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or lightheadedness.. Women, especially, might experience these atypical symptoms more than men.
If the pain is alongside shortness of breath, cold sweats, or nausea, it’s critical to seek emergency help. Doctors advise paying attention to accompanying symptoms because jaw pain alone often stems from less alarming causes like TMJ disorders (problems in the jaw joint), dental issues, or nerve pain called neuralgia.
Early Warnings: What Three Symptoms Signal Your Heart Is Struggling?
Maria’s pain was one clue. Other early warnings of heart trouble include:
- Shortness of breath that worsens with activity or rest.
- Profound fatigue that doesn’t improve with sleep.
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen caused by fluid buildup.
These symptoms suggest the heart is struggling to pump efficiently, a condition known as heart failure, and can progress without timely care.
Nurturing Your Heart Spiritually and Physically
Along her journey, Maria embraced a heart-nurturing mindset inspired by medical care and by the Scripture, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV). Alongside medical care, nutrients like niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber-rich foods helped manage her cholesterol naturally.
Next Steps
At EyoleHeartNurture.com, we invite you to listen deeply to your body’s signals like Maria did. Your heart is more than a muscle; it’s the sacred center of your being. Take our free heart test and remember, early care is a gift to yourself and those who love you.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can neck pain be related to the heart?
Pain in the neck can signal heart distress during events like heart attacks, when pain radiates from the chest, according to healthline.com. - How do I know if jaw pain is heart-related?
Jaw pain linked to heart issues often comes with shortness of breath, cold sweats, chest tightness, or dizziness, per verywellhealth.com. - What are three early warning signs that your heart is failing?
Shortness of breath, persistent fatigue, and leg swelling warn of heart failure, per mayoclinic.org. - When should I be worried about neck and jaw pain?
Seek urgent care if neck and jaw pain accompany chest pain, nausea, sweating, or faintness per nortonhealthcare.com. - What is a red flag for neck pain?
Sudden severe pain with neurological or heart symptoms signals urgent evaluation per Mayo Clinic.
