As health officials report a surge of winter viruses, health experts are warning that heart disease symptoms can sometimes mimic respiratory illnesses.

Four viruses are circulating in the U.S., sparking concerns of a possible "quademic."

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, COVID-19 and norovirus are all at "very high levels" around the country, experts warn. 

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The American Heart Association (AHA) confirmed that certain viruses have been linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. 

"The highest risk is within three days of infection, but remains heightened for up to 90 days," the AHA stated on its website.

Johanna Contreras, M.D., a cardiologist at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York City, said she has seen people mistaking virus symptoms for serious heart complications.

Some patients who experience shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, swelling and palpitations may assume their symptoms are linked to a cold when these could be signs of heart failure, she said in a release sent to Fox News Digital.

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Weakness, fever, dizziness and chest pain could also mask potentially life-threatening conditions.

Those may include pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), heart attack, pericarditis (inflammation around the lining of the heart), heart failure or viral myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), according to Mount Sinai cardiologists.

Viruses can provoke an inflammatory condition, which can lead to or worsen cardiac conditions, according to Dr. Icilma Fergus, director of cardiovascular disparities for the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City.

"Typically, those [viruses] that make one sicker and promote a hypercoaguable state (an increased tendency to form blood clots) are more dangerous," she told Fox News Digital. 

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"The focus has now been increasingly placed on RSV and norovirus on top of the known influenza and COVID viruses."

Anuradha Lala, M.D., another cardiologist at Mount Sinai in New York City, noted that the body’s immune system creates an inflammatory response to fight and eliminate the virus — but this inflammation could inadvertently harm cardiac tissue. 

"If you have a known heart condition, viral infections can bring on exacerbations — or a worsening of the underlying tissue — whether it is atrial fibrillation, coronary heart disease or heart failure," she noted in the release.

A recent patient at the hospital recently experienced severe shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations and fatigue, fearing they had heart failure, she noted. 

"After they had bloodwork taken, there was a frantic moment when we could not reach the patient to share results that revealed a significantly elevated troponin level, which can be linked to a heart attack," she shared in the release. 

"Although we suspected the worst, we eventually reached the patient and they were hospitalized with influenza A and severe viral myocarditis. They were treated appropriately and luckily there was a good outcome."

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Older adults — as well as those who are immunocompromised or have a history of heart issues or other underlying conditions — are particularly at risk for cardiac complications, according to the Mount Sinai cardiologists. 

"Anyone is susceptible, even healthcare providers — and anyone who is not paying attention to their symptoms may get sick with potentially life-threatening complications," Fergus said in the report.

Patients who notice persistent chest pain and palpitations after a viral illness should consider ruling out myocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart muscle, according to Contreras.

It is important to discuss any post-virus symptoms with a healthcare professional, especially for those in high-risk groups, health experts told Fox News Digital.

Specific symptoms that warrant emergency attention include chest pain, difficulty breathing or staying awake, feelings of passing out, or extremes of blood pressure.

Swelling of the legs may also be linked to cardiac events — especially if there is also an underlying heart condition or risk factors such as obesity, diabetes or a family history of heart disease, Lala stated in the Mount Sinai release.

During the cold, damp winter months, certain viruses may thrive and become more virulent, Fergus told Fox News Digital. 

"People should stay vigilant and observe for symptoms of an impending cold," she advised. "Get tested to know what virus you have, as the antiviral treatments are different."

People should take measures to avoid exposure to winter illnesses and seek treatment if they become ill, especially if they have an underlying condition, Fergus advised.

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It is recommended that those who are in vulnerable groups get vaccines when available, the cardiologist added.

The American Heart Association recommends following the below precautions to reduce the chances of contracting a virus: 

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Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association.

A choking emergency can turn really scary, really quickly.

Whether it’s yourself or another person, knowing how to remove the blockage while staying calm can be the difference between life and death.

The Heimlich maneuver is a first-aid method recommended by most health organizations, which uses abdominal thrusts to dislodge an obstruction from a person’s windpipe.

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Mass General Brigham, a health care system in Boston, Massachusetts, shared on its website step-by-step guidance on how to effectively perform the Heimlich, provided by emergency medicine doctor Wendy Macias-Konstantopoulos, MD.

In any choking emergency, Mass General Brigham suggests first calling 911 to report that someone may need the help of a medical professional.

If there is another person present, one person should call 911 while the other begins doing the Heimlich.

The Heimlich maneuver should not be performed on someone who can still talk, breathe or cough, according to Macias-Konstantopoulos.

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In that case, encourage someone exhibiting these signs to continue coughing to dislodge the object.

If none of these signs are present, or if the person is exhibiting the universal choking sign, start by administering up to five sharp blows to the person’s back with the heel of your hand between their shoulder blades.

If the person is still choking after a few blows to the back, experts recommend starting the Heimlich maneuver.

Macias-Konstantopoulos' guidance is to first stand behind the choking person, or kneel if it’s a child.

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Wrap your arms around their torso from the back. Make a fist with one hand and grab it with the other.

Place your hands in between the person’s belly button and rib cage.

Next, thrust in an inward and upward motion on the diaphragm. This will force air out of the lungs and remove the blockage. Repeat these abdominal thrusts up to five times, the doctor advised.

If the choking continues, go back to the five back blows followed by five abdominal thrusts until the airway is cleared or help has arrived.

For people who may be pregnant or obese, the Heimlich maneuver can be administered with five chest thrusts to the breastbone, or middle of the chest, instead of the abdomen.

Mass General Brigham warned that the Heimlich maneuver should not be used on infants younger than 12 months.

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Instead, if a baby under a year old is choking, hold them face down along the length of your arm or thigh, keeping their head lower than their bottom.

Sharply hit the baby on their back, firmly but not hard enough to injure them, up to five times, the health care system advised.

Once the blockage is dislodged, check the baby’s mouth and remove any visible objects with a finger.

If the blows to the back don’t work, try performing chest thrusts by holding the baby face up in the same orientation.

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Keep their head lower than their body and support the baby’s neck and head with your hand, according to Macias-Konstantopoulos.

Place two to three fingers on the baby’s breastbone, or in the middle of their chest, and press sharply one inch downward and upward up to five times.

As children in particular run a high risk of choking, the doctor advised parents and guardians to be careful with foods like popcorn, nuts, grapes, hot dogs and hard candy.

"Cut children’s food into small pieces before they eat," she recommended. 

"Keep choking hazards out of children’s reach, keep a close eye on your child while they eat and supervise play time."

If you're choking while alone, the same Heimlich technique can be performed on yourself, according to Mass General Brigham.

Place your fists right above your belly button and pull inward and upward into your diaphragm.

Alternatively, try bending over a hard surface, such as the back of a chair or countertop, and shove yourself into the same area of your abdomen to create a similar force to your lungs.

If you are unable to speak, many states allow texts to be sent to 911, the health care system noted.

"Type the numbers ‘9-1-1’ into the ‘to’ or ‘recipient’ field," Macias-Konstantopoulos instructed. "Text your location and the nature of your emergency right away."