Know what your body may be telling you.
Many cardiovascular symptoms are easy to dismiss as ordinary aging or fatigue. This page groups common symptoms by the part of the circulation they usually relate to. Symptoms can have many causes, and this page is educational rather than diagnostic.
Call 911 for emergency symptoms
- Chest pain or pressure, especially with sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath
- Severe or sudden shortness of breath
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, or trouble speaking
- A leg that is suddenly cold, pale, painful, or without feeling
Do not wait for an appointment if you have these symptoms. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Arterial circulation
Arterial symptoms often appear during activity, because working muscles need more blood than narrowed arteries can deliver.
Read about peripheral artery diseaseSymptoms often associated with arterial circulation
- Leg pain or cramping while walking that eases with rest
- Leg fatigue or weakness with activity
- Coldness in one foot or leg compared with the other
- Numbness or tingling in the foot or leg
- Slow-healing wounds on the feet or toes
- Changes in skin color, shiny skin, or slower hair and nail growth
These symptoms can have several possible causes. An evaluation is the only way to understand what is behind them in your case.
Venous circulation
Venous symptoms tend to build through the day and often improve with elevation, because blood is pooling in the lower legs.
Read about venous diseaseSymptoms often associated with venous circulation
- Leg swelling, often worse in the evening
- Aching, heaviness, or tired legs
- Varicose veins or clusters of small surface veins
- Skin discoloration or irritation near the ankle
- Leg discomfort after prolonged standing or sitting
- Venous ulcers or slow-healing wounds near the ankle
These symptoms can have several possible causes. An evaluation is the only way to understand what is behind them in your case.
Heart function
These symptoms often reflect fluid balance and how much work the heart is doing, and they can change gradually over days or weeks.
Read about heart failureSymptoms often associated with heart function
- Shortness of breath with activity or when lying flat
- Fatigue and reduced stamina
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Rapid or unexplained changes in weight
These symptoms can have several possible causes. An evaluation is the only way to understand what is behind them in your case.
Heart structure
Structural symptoms can be subtle and are sometimes first noticed as a murmur during an exam. Symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis, and imaging is usually needed.
Read about structural heart diseaseSymptoms often associated with heart structure
- A heart murmur noted by a clinician
- Shortness of breath during ordinary activity
- Chest discomfort or pressure
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- A fluttering or pounding sensation in the chest
- Swelling in the legs or abdomen
These symptoms can have several possible causes. An evaluation is the only way to understand what is behind them in your case.
Two circulation systems, two different problems.
Arteries carry blood away from the heart. Veins bring it back. Knowing which one is involved helps explain why leg symptoms feel the way they do.
Arteries carry blood away from the heart
Arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood from the heart out to the muscles and tissues. When an artery narrows, less blood reaches the tissue it supplies, which is why arterial symptoms often appear during walking or activity.
- Direction of flow: heart toward the body
- Common problem: narrowing that limits blood supply
- Typical pattern: cramping with activity, eased by rest
Veins return blood back toward the heart
Veins move blood from the legs back up toward the heart with help from one-way valves and the calf muscles. If a valve does not close completely, blood can flow backward and collect in the lower leg.
- Direction of flow: body back toward the heart
- Common problem: valves that allow backward flow
- Typical pattern: swelling and heaviness that build through the day
How the two conditions differ
| Comparison | Arterial disease | Venous disease |
|---|---|---|
| Where the problem starts | Blood struggles to reach the leg through a narrowed artery. | Blood struggles to leave the leg and return to the heart. |
| What patients often notice | Cramping or aching during walking that settles with rest. | Swelling, heaviness, and aching that build through the day. |
| How the skin may look | Pale, cool, or shiny skin, with slower hair and nail growth. | Darkened or irritated skin, most often around the ankle. |
| Where wounds tend to appear | Toes, heels, and pressure points on the foot. | The inner ankle and lower calf. |
| What usually helps the feeling | Stopping and resting the leg. | Elevating the leg and using compression as advised. |
Not sure whether your symptoms need attention?
Our team can help you decide what kind of visit makes sense. Recognizing a symptom early is often the most useful thing a patient can do.