Coronary artery disease (CAD) happens when the blood vessels supplying the heart become damaged or blocked, often due to cholesterol buildup (plaque) and inflammation. These blockages can develop silently over time but may lead to severe health issues, such as heart attacks. Understanding the warning signs of CAD can help save lives.
CAD doesn’t usually cause symptoms in the early stages, but as plaque builds up and narrows the arteries, blood flow to the heart becomes restricted. This process, called atherosclerosis, can eventually trigger noticeable symptoms or even a heart attack. Here are the key signs of artery blockages that everyone should know.
Chest Pain (Angina)
Chest pain, known as angina, is a common warning sign of significant artery blockages. It often feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest. Sometimes, this discomfort spreads to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.
Angina is usually brought on by physical activity or emotional stress and tends to ease after a few minutes of rest.
Experts recommend seeking immediate medical attention if chest pain is sudden, unexplained, or worsening, as it could signal a serious heart issue.
Shortness of Breath
Blocked arteries may prevent the heart from pumping enough blood to meet the body’s needs, leading to shortness of breath. This symptom is often noticed during physical activity or while lying down and may be accompanied by feelings of fatigue. If you find yourself getting winded during tasks that used to be easy, it’s important to consult a doctor.
Heart Palpitations
An irregular or unusually fast heartbeat, called palpitations, can occur when the heart works harder to push blood through narrowed arteries. This might feel like fluttering, pounding, or a racing heart.
Nausea, Indigestion, or Stomach Pain
Some people, particularly women, may experience nausea, indigestion, or stomach pain during a heart attack. These symptoms are less typical but can still indicate a serious problem. Because they can be mistaken for other conditions, such as acid reflux or the flu, it’s essential to consider other accompanying signs, like chest discomfort or shortness of breath.
Fatigue
Feeling unusually tired without a clear cause could be a warning sign of significant artery blockages. This type of fatigue often occurs with activities that didn’t cause tiredness before and may appear weeks before a heart attack. It is also more commonly reported by women.
Sweating
Breaking out in a cold sweat for no obvious reason is another potential sign of a heart attack. This symptom may happen alongside chest pain, shortness of breath, or other signs of CAD.
When to Seek Help
If you notice these symptoms, it’s vital to seek medical advice promptly. Diagnostic tests, like stress tests, echocardiograms, or coronary angiography, can assess the severity of blockages and guide treatment.
Treatment and Prevention
Treating CAD often involves lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes medical procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery. Preventing CAD starts with maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and managing stress can significantly reduce the risk of blockages. Regular check-ups are also crucial, especially for those with a family history of heart disease or other risk factors.
Being aware of these symptoms and acting quickly can make a life-saving difference. By adopting healthy habits and staying informed, you can protect your heart and overall health.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk, and Vitamin K2 could help reduce heart disease risk.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that olive oil may help you live longer, and Vitamin C linked to lower risk of heart failure.
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