The world knows common signs of heart trouble include tightness in the chest, pain, and extreme pressure in the chest. However, these are not the only signals. According to Dr. Jeremy London, a US-based heart surgeon, most people often fail to understand other important signals that your heart gives out when it is in trouble.

That results in a deadly heart attack, a stroke - or a critical delay in getting possible heart disease diagnosed and treated. According to Dr. London, a few red flags for your heart health should be given utmost priority. These are:

Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of heart failure. It is a distressing feeling that may cause you to feel smothered. According to Dr. London, breathlessness initially occurs with exertion but may get progressively worse and eventually occur at rest in severe cases.

It makes you breathe harder, faster, or deeper than usual and typically stems from heart or lung conditions. Experts say you must take immediate action if breathlessness is accompanied by swelling of the ankles and feet when laying flat, chills, cough, high fever, or wheezing.

Swelling in your legs happens when there is a fluid buildup in the tissues – known as edema. According to Dr. London, blood backing up in the veins of your legs may indicate that your heart is not functioning as well as it should – and is regarded as a noticeable sign of heart failure.

When your heart does not work properly, blood flow slows and backs up in the veins in your legs, leading to fluid build up in your tissues. You may also have swelling in your stomach or notice some weight gain. Dr. London says if the swelling in your legs starts suddenly and for no clear reason - accompanied by chest pain, breathing troubles, fainting, dizziness or a cough that produces blood, you need to visit the doctor immediately.

One of the main symptoms of congestive heart failure is cardiac cough – which occurs when fluid builds up in the lungs and worsens your condition. Dr. London says cardiac coughing, as it is called – is wet and accompanied by blood-tinged mucus. On the other hand, coughs caused by medications used to treat congestive heart failure often sound dry.

You may develop a cough with congestive heart failure because of fluid in the lungs.

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