Persistent Cough
A persistent cough might indicate the buildup of fluids in your lungs, which might lead to a heart attack. When your heart cannot pump efficiently, blood would back up in the vessels which carry blood cells to your lungs. As a result, blood pressure will increase and cause the fluids to push into the alveoli or air spaces. The cough is triggered when the fluids cause irritation in your lungs, which is quite similar to shortness of breath. However, keep in mind that a cough can also be a symptom of many other health issues such as bronchitis, flu, or cold. [2]
