Heart disease is one of the top causes of death around the world. One of the most common forms is called coronary artery disease, which happens when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become blocked or narrowed. These arteries are vital because they carry oxygen-rich blood that the heart needs to keep beating properly.
Coronary artery disease develops when the inside walls of the arteries are damaged and begin to collect fatty substances, especially cholesterol. Over time, these fatty deposits form plaques that stick to the artery walls.
As these plaques build up, they make the arteries narrower, which limits how much blood can flow through. This puts extra strain on the heart. Inflammation in the arteries also adds to the damage, making the condition worse.
If the heart doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen, it can’t function well. This can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, and in severe cases, death. That’s why it’s so important to understand the warning signs of blocked arteries and take action early.
One of the most common early signs is chest pain, also known as angina. People describe this pain as a tightness, squeezing, or heavy feeling in the chest. It often happens during physical activity or emotional stress, when the heart is working harder and needs more oxygen.
The pain may also spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or shoulders. Rest usually makes it go away, but even if the pain stops, it’s still a warning sign that shouldn’t be ignored.
Some heart problems, however, don’t come with clear symptoms. A “silent” heart attack is one example. It causes damage to the heart, but the person may not feel typical chest pain. Silent heart attacks are especially common in people with diabetes, because the disease can damage nerves and make it harder to feel pain.
Shortness of breath is another strong signal that something might be wrong with the heart. If you feel out of breath during simple activities like walking or climbing stairs—or even when resting—it could mean your heart isn’t pumping blood effectively. This can make it harder for oxygen to reach the rest of the body.
Feeling extremely tired for no clear reason can also be a sign of heart trouble. This kind of fatigue may show up when doing normal activities that never felt hard before. It’s a symptom that’s often missed, especially by women, who might blame it on aging, stress, or a busy lifestyle. But in some cases, it’s the heart struggling to keep up.
Other warning signs to watch include feeling dizzy or lightheaded, nausea, and a fluttering sensation in the chest known as palpitations. These symptoms can be confusing because they are linked to many other conditions. But they’re more likely to appear in women with heart disease and should always be taken seriously.
Acting quickly when symptoms appear can make a huge difference. A study in the American Journal of Cardiology found that people who got help early were more likely to recover fully. The sooner a blocked artery is treated, the more heart muscle can be saved and the less long-term damage there will be.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of developing blocked arteries. These include keeping your blood pressure and cholesterol at healthy levels, staying active, avoiding tobacco, eating a balanced diet, managing diabetes, and maintaining a healthy weight.
A heart-healthy diet should include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like those found in nuts and olive oil.
In short, your body often gives signals when something is wrong with your heart. Chest pain, breathlessness, fatigue, dizziness, or unusual heartbeats are all signs that deserve attention. Don’t wait to get help—seeing a doctor early could save your life.
Protecting your heart doesn’t have to be complicated. Healthy habits, regular checkups, and knowing the warning signs can go a long way in keeping your heart strong and your life on track.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that vitamin K helps cut heart disease risk by a third, and a year of exercise reversed worrisome heart failure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about supplements that could help prevent heart disease, stroke, and results showing this food ingredient may strongly increase heart disease death risk.
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