NYC doctor urges a ‘3-second morning test’ to spot warning signs of silent heart disease — and when to see a specialist
Many health alerts arrive quietly, long before a serious problem is noticed. A recent TikTok video shared by NYC-based doctor, Dr. Tony (@drtony.nyc), focused on one such warning and offered a simple daily habit that could help people pay closer attention to their heart health. The video, shared on November 15, 2025, explains how a short morning check may highlight early signs that often go unnoticed until it is too late.
In the video, Dr. Tony reveals that silent heart disease develops slowly and often without pain or obvious symptoms. Onscreen text in the video reads, “Silent heart disease is called for a reason. It develops quietly for years, no pain, no clear signs.” He adds that many symptoms appear only in later stages, but early signals can still be present. To explain why awareness matters, he shares the example of a 44-year-old man who did this simple test every morning. “One day the result changed, and two weeks later he was in surgery,” the text notes, highlighting how small changes can carry big meaning.
Dr. Tony then walks viewers through what he calls a “three-second morning test.” The steps are simple. First, wake up and sit comfortably on the bed. Next, raise both arms straight above the head and hold the position for three seconds. During that time, people should pay close attention to how their bodies feel. He says to watch for chest tightness, numb or tingling fingers, sudden fatigue, or lightheadedness. These sensations, he states, “could signal circulation issues.” He added why the test works, noting that raising the arms increases blood flow demand, and if arteries are stiff or narrowed, the body may struggle, and the mentioned subtle symptoms can show up.
In the caption, Dr. Tony adds an important reminder. “This isn’t a diagnosis, just a self-awareness tool,” he writes. He encourages viewers to speak to a specialist if these symptoms repeat or feel concerning. The message comes at a time when heart disease remains a major health issue in the United States. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the number one cause of death for men and women. Cardiovascular disease claims a life every 34 seconds, and in 2023 alone, more than 919,000 people lost their lives.
The video went viral with almost 300K views and sparked strong reactions in the comments, with many users sharing personal experiences and concerns about heart health. @hiya432596 mentioned, "I have been waking up with a racing heart and shortness of breath, it's very scary, it happens very often. I got told it's a panic attack." @dwashington596 shared, "I have a terrible case of grief because of my daughter. And now I’m having heart fluttering, palpitations, and trouble breathing. I’m just hoping this is temporary." Meanwhile, @deborahmiller11 expressed, "Thanks for the tips, good to know."
@drtony.nyc 3-second heart test — many Americans use this simple morning check to notice early circulation problems. Raising your arms increases cardiac demand, and if blood flow is compromised, signs like chest pressure, numb fingers or sudden fatigue may show up. This isn’t a diagnosis — just a self-awareness tool. If symptoms repeat, talk to a specialist. #health #doctor #wellness #hearthealth #prevention ♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ - Suwat Ketpunt
For more helpful medical tips, follow @drtony.nyc on TikTok.
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