Heart disease is a blanket term that covers a number of different diseases of the cardiovascular system. These diseases are the number one cause of death in both males and females throughout the world. The symptoms of these potentially deadly diseases will vary, depending on what type of heart disease a person has. However, as they all affect the same system, they do produce similar symptoms that indicate a person should be seen by a doctor. Many heart disease symptoms involve the heart and surrounding chest area. However, others do not, so it is important to know that heart disease can present in other areas of the body. Heart symptoms include fast or slow heart rate, irregular heartbeat, angina (chest pain) and fluttering in the chest. Cardiovascular diseases can cause breathing problems. People with heart disease may feel winded easily or even get out of breath when doing nothing. This can cause dizziness and fainting. Dizziness and fainting can occur in heart disease without shortness of breath as well. Fluid may also build up in the lung area, making it hard to breathe. Heart disease can affect a person's extremities because the heart is not strong enough to provide adequate circulation. There can be numbness and/or tingling in the arms and legs. There may be weakness in the limbs as well. There may be swelling in the legs, ankles, hands and feet, which can extend to the midsection and eyes as well. Coldness in the limbs may occur, which is an indicator of poor circulation. Some of the symptoms of heart disease are more general. These symptoms include a blue tinge to the skin in any area, feeling tired, cough, rashes, weakness and fever. These symptoms can be indicators of less harmful illnesses, so a doctor may not be consulted. However, it is important for people who are at risk for heart disease to consult a doctor about the above symptoms. As with any disease, the earlier it is found and treatment begun, the better.