Heart disease is the number one cause of disease caused death in the United States today. The latest statistics show that of the 2.4 million people who die every year in the U.S. 36 percent of them died of some form of heart or cardiovascular disease. For many people heart disease sneaks up on them unawares and causes an unforeseen heart attack. Simply recognizing the symptoms of heart disease before a major medical emergency and seeking help can help reduce the risk of a life threatening event.

So what are the heart disease symptoms you should be on the lookout for and what should you do if you start to experience them? The short answer to the second part of that question is to see your doctor immediately. The sooner any form of this deadly condition is diagnosed and treated the better your chances of living a long and healthy life.

Here are the symptoms everyone should be conscious of. And remember, each one taken by itself should indicate a potential problem but if there are combinations of these symptoms the greater the risk.

1. Angina - This refers to chest pain, one of the major warning signs of a heart attack. Any chest pain needs to be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. The problem with angina is that many people with heart disease may not experience it until they are actually having a heart attack and by then it may be too late.

2. Numbness and Tingling - If you experience these symptoms particularly of the face or arms and it is localized to one particular side it could be a warning sign of blocked or damaged arteries. If slurred speech, headache, and loss of coordination or balance is also experienced you should seek immediate medical attention.

3. Shortness of Breath - Problems with the respiratory system can be a symptom of any number of problems, one of which is heart disease. If it is a continual problem then you need to seek medical attention.

4. Dizziness or Fainting - Having dizzy or fainting spells when you normally haven't experienced them in the past are both signs of possible cardiovascular disease. This is true if you start to get these symptoms after exercise or other physical activities. These types of symptoms are common in heart valve disease and manifest as positional vertigo which are symptoms occurring upon standing from a lying or sitting position. These include dizziness, brief loss of eye sight, and ringing in the ears.

5. Fatigue and Weakness - It is normal to feel somewhat tired at the end of a long day at work. If this worsens in intensity over time it could be an indication of some sort of heart problem.

Heart disease is a very serious condition that if not diagnosed and treated in an aggressive manner can quickly have deadly consequences. Fully understanding and recognizing the symptoms of heart disease is the first step to seeking medical attention to help stop this silent killer in its tracks.