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Signs And Symptoms Of Coronary Artery Disease Or Blocked Arteries


Arteries function as oxygen-rich blood and nutrient carriers from the heart throughout the body. Healthy arteries are smooth and blood passes through them easily, but gradual accumulation of cholesterol, fat, and calcium, called plaque, in the inner walls of the arteries can reduce blood flow, sometimes blocking it altogether. It is vital to understand the signs and symptoms of blocked or clogged arteries as it can lead to hypertension, strokes, or even death.


Symptoms of Blocked Arteries:
It is the location of the narrowed or blocked artery that determines the symptoms an individual experiences. Unfortunately, most people have no obvious signs as the plaque starts accumulating; however, symptoms may develop, once the artery begins to narrow. Atherosclerosis is the term used to describe the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, this condition can lead to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the legs and arms, which may cause pain and make walking difficult. Potential warning signs include shortness of breath and extreme fatigue following physical activity. Seek medical treatment immediately to prevent the onset of aortoiliac disease (a more serious form of the peripheral arterial disease that develops over a lifetime) and the painful symptoms that accompany it (pain or cramping in the thighs, buttocks, or calves when walking).

Coronary artery disease (CAD), also called coronary heart disease (CHD), develops when the major blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen-rich blood and nutrients become damaged or diseased. CAD progresses over the years and may go unnoticed until the accumulated plaque results in a blocked artery in heart leading to a heart attack. Health screenings at regular intervals can help in identifying the condition early and following a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the condition. Symptoms develop as plaque continues to accumulate in the arteries, which include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and heart attack.

Carotid artery disease affects the brain, and stroke symptoms due to carotid artery disease include facial drooping, problems in vision in one or both eyes, difficulty understanding others and/or slurred speech, loss of balance and/or dizziness, one is unable to move an extremity or extremities, and sudden onset of numbness or weakness in the limbs and/or face (an entire side of the body may be affected). Seek medical assistance right away should you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms.

Causes and Risk Factors of Blocked Arteries:
Vascular injury to the inner layer of coronary artery caused by factors like diabetes or insulin resistance, sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking- is the most common cause of coronary artery disease.
Risk factors of blocked arteries include
1.      Family history
2.      Age
3.      Smoking
4.      Blood pressure
5.      Cholesterol levels
6.      Diabetes
7.      Obesity
8.      Sedentary lifestyle
9.      Stress
10.  Diet
CAD can also be caused by other factors including sleep apnea (breathing disorders during sleep that puts strain on the cardiovascular system), high triglycerides (a type of fat), Homocysteine (an amino acid that is important for tissue build up), alcohol abuse, preeclampsia (tends to develop in women during pregnancy and can cause high blood pressure and higher amount of protein in urine), and autoimmune diseases (conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus raises the risk of atherosclerosis).

As plague consists of cholesterol, fat and calcium, a diet that consists of foods high in saturated fats, trans fats and salt play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. Having diabetes or high blood pressure, living a sedentary lifestyle (no physical activity), smoking cigarettes, stress and genetics are other factors that can increase the risk of plaque accumulation in the arteries.
Consult with a cardiologist if you are concerned that your arteries may be clogged or you have been diagnosed with heart disease, this will help prevent cardiac emergencies like a heart attack or cardiac arrest.
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