Four Common Symptoms Of Blocked Arteries - What Are The Signs Of Having Blocked Arteries

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Blocked Arteries are known to develop as a result of the accumulation of plaque or blood clots. Certain factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, obesity, coronary heart disease and diabetes may be responsible for this condition.

Blocked arteries may occur in any part of the body and the blockage deters the flow of blood to the organ attached to it. There are several symptoms that are associated with blocked arteries. Given below are some of them.

Common Symptoms Of Blocked Arteries

Shortness Of Breath

Mayoclinic.com states that if the heart is not able to pump sufficient blood to the different parts of the body, the affected individual may suffer from extreme fatigue or shortness of breath. When the blocked artery deters the flow of blood to the heart, it may even result in heart failure.

An institute called ‘The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’ indicates that the term ‘Heart Failure’ does not necessarily imply that the heart has stopped or will stop working. It actually means that the heart cannot fill up with the required amount of blood or is unable to pump blood to the other parts of the body with force.

If the heart is weak, it will not be able to circulate blood as well as fluids in an efficient manner. This leads to the build-up of fluids in the tissues, which then leads to shortness of breath.

Angina

A renowned institute, namely ‘The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’ indicates that chest pain or angina may affect those who have blockages in the arteries. Angina is a condition that develops when the heart does not receive the required amount of oxygen-rich blood.

The individual suffering from angina may feel pressure around the chest region. The pain associated with angina may also spread to the arms, shoulders, jaw, back and neck. Mayoclinic.com indicates that these symptoms usually develop as a result of emotional stress and physical activity.

Heart Attack

Mayoclinic.com states that when the coronary artery becomes blocked, it may lead to a heart attack. Common symptoms that are associated with a heart attack include shortness of breath, sweating, pain in arms and shoulder and excruciating pain in the chest region.

The pain in the chest may last for only few minutes. A well-known institute, namely ‘The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’ notes that certain individuals may experience heart attack along with heartburn or indigestion symptoms.

Leg Pain

Peripheral artery disease (PAD), is a condition that develops due to the accumulation of plaque in the peripheral artery. The American Heart Association states that cramping, weakness or pain in hip or leg muscles are common symptoms of PAD and usually occur during activities such as walking or climbing stairs.

Artery blockage in the leg may result in certain modifications to the skin colour. Ulcers or sores may also develop in the affected foot. If left untreated, this condition may result in loss of circulation in the hip and leg. This further leads to gangrene, when then leads to the amputation of the affected leg.