Your heart is one of the most important parts of your body. It pumps blood filled with oxygen and nutrients to every cell.
But when the blood vessels that feed the heart become blocked or narrowed, it can cause big problems. This condition is called coronary artery disease, or CAD. It’s one of the leading causes of death around the world.
The trouble usually begins when a sticky mix of fat, cholesterol, and other substances starts to build up inside the arteries. These are the tubes that carry blood to your heart. This buildup, known as plaque, can slowly grow over many years.
As it grows, the space inside the arteries gets smaller. This makes it harder for blood to pass through. If a piece of plaque breaks off, it can cause a blood clot, which can block the artery completely and trigger a heart attack.
At first, many people with blocked arteries don’t feel anything unusual. But as the arteries become narrower, warning signs may start to appear. One of the most common is chest pain or discomfort. This type of pain is called angina.
It can feel like pressure, tightness, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest. Sometimes the pain spreads to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or shoulders. This usually happens when you’re active or stressed and goes away when you rest. But if you notice chest pain that’s new or more intense than before, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Another sign is shortness of breath. When your heart isn’t getting enough blood, it can’t pump well. This can make you feel out of breath when walking, climbing stairs, or even lying down. You might also feel more tired than usual, even after doing light tasks.
Some people feel their heart beating fast or skipping beats. This is called palpitations. It can feel like fluttering or pounding in your chest and might be a sign that your heart is under stress.
Sometimes, the symptoms are not what you’d expect. You might feel sick to your stomach, have indigestion, or feel like you have heartburn. These symptoms are more common in women and can be mistaken for stomach problems, which may delay getting help.
Unusual tiredness is another warning. If you feel very tired without a clear reason—especially if it’s new or happens during simple activities—it might be your heart trying to tell you something. Women, in particular, may notice this kind of fatigue weeks before a heart attack.
Breaking out in a cold sweat when you’re not hot or exercising can also be a serious sign, especially if it comes with chest pain or trouble breathing.
If you or someone you know has these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor. There are several tests that can check how well your heart is working and whether your arteries are blocked.
Treatment depends on how serious the blockage is. Some people can manage it with medicine and healthy habits. Others may need a procedure to open the blocked artery or even surgery.
The good news is that you can prevent or control coronary artery disease. Eating healthy foods, getting regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and managing stress are all important. It’s also key to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels in a healthy range.
If you have a family history of heart disease or other risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking, it’s especially important to get regular checkups.
In the end, paying attention to your body and acting early can make a big difference. Don’t ignore signs that something might be wrong with your heart. Making healthy choices and getting medical help when needed could save your life.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that Manganese can help clear arterial plaques and treat heart disease and Aspirin use linked to heart failure.
For more about heart health, please read studies about the blood thinner drug that can prevent strokes in people with hidden heart issues and new guidelines on daily aspirin for heart attack and stroke prevention.
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