Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death around the world. One of the most common forms of heart disease is called coronary artery disease.
This happens when fatty substances, known as plaques, slowly build up inside the heart’s arteries. These arteries are responsible for sending oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When they get too narrow or blocked, the heart doesn’t get the blood it needs to work properly.
Blocked arteries can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks or strokes. That’s why it’s important to notice the warning signs early. Many people don’t know they have a problem until it’s too late. If you can spot the symptoms early, you have a much better chance of getting help before major damage happens.
The heart needs a constant flow of blood to keep beating and supplying the rest of the body with oxygen. If the flow is reduced or stopped, the heart struggles. This can cause several symptoms that you should not ignore.
One of the most common warning signs is chest pain, also known as angina. It may feel like tightness, pressure, or squeezing in the middle of the chest. Some people also feel pain in their shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. This pain often happens when you’re active or feeling stressed, and it usually gets better when you rest.
However, not everyone with heart problems feels chest pain. Some people have what doctors call a “silent” heart attack. This means there are no obvious warning signs. This is more likely in people with diabetes, as nerve damage can make it hard to feel pain clearly.
Another symptom of blocked arteries is shortness of breath. If your heart isn’t getting enough blood, it can’t send enough oxygen to your body. You may feel out of breath doing simple tasks like walking or going up stairs. In some cases, people feel breathless even when they’re resting.
Feeling very tired for no clear reason is another sign. This is more common in women. If daily activities like cooking, cleaning, or shopping suddenly make you feel extremely tired, it could be a sign your heart is struggling.
Other signs that may not seem related to the heart include nausea, dizziness, and a fast or irregular heartbeat, also called palpitations. These signs are also more common in women and are sometimes mistaken for less serious health issues.
Scientists have found that people who recognize these signs early and get help quickly have a much better chance of avoiding serious damage to the heart. One study in the American Journal of Cardiology showed that acting fast leads to better outcomes than waiting too long. That’s because the longer the heart goes without oxygen, the more damage it gets.
You can help prevent blocked arteries by living a healthy lifestyle. Things like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, being overweight, diabetes, and not getting enough exercise all increase your risk. Eating healthy food, staying active, quitting smoking, and keeping a healthy weight can protect your heart.
To sum up, paying attention to early warning signs like chest pain, shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, or dizziness could save your life. If you or someone you know has these symptoms, don’t wait—see a doctor right away. The sooner a problem is found, the better your chances of staying healthy and avoiding a heart attack.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
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