7 warning signs of heart blockage cardiologists say people often miss

Coronary Artery Disease (Heart blockage) is a condition that is caused by the blockage or constriction of the blood-supplying arteries to the heart as a result of the accumulation of plaque. It may slow the circulation of blood to the heart and predispose one to a heart attack. Most individuals tend to consider sudden chest pain to be a heart issue, but several initial signs are very subtle and easily overlooked.We reached out to Dr. Praveen Raman Mishra, associate consultant- Cardiac Sciences, ShardaCare, Healthcity, to know more about the symptoms or signs of heart blockages. "Early identification of these symptoms would enable people to seek medical attention early enough and avoid severe complications. Among the most frequent symptoms is chest pain or pressure that can be experienced as being heavy, tight, or burning in the chest. Nevertheless, the pain is not necessarily critical and can occur and disappear, particularly with exercise or stress. A second symptom that is not often taken seriously is shortness of breath that can be experienced when taking up steps, walking in short distances, or undertaking regular activities," he shared."Heart blockage can also cause abnormal fatigue in people who have performed a mild activity. The body feels constantly fatigued when the heart is not supplied with sufficient oxygen-rich blood. In others, pain can even radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, or back, which most individuals will confuse with muscle pain or indigestion. The other warning symptoms may be dizziness, nausea, or excessive perspiration, particularly during physical activities. These are some of the symptoms that may show that the heart is working hard to pump out blood," he revealed. He then continued, "High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, and living an unhealthy sedentary lifestyle are some of the risk factors that may elevate the chances of heart blockage. The risk can be greatly minimized by practicing a heart-friendly lifestyle, which means exercise, a well-balanced diet, and regular health check-ups.” Dr. Mishra stressed that medical examination and proper awareness at a very young age are the key to avoiding serious complications of the heart. In case these symptoms are frequent and aggravated, it is highly advisable to consult a cardiologist.Dr. Akash Motgi, consultant- Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, shared his insights and mentioned, "Few causes can cause heart disease to develop suddenly and without warning. For many patients, their cardiovascular system has been warning them of a problem long before the cardiac attack ever happened. A coronary artery blockage is one such ailment that can progressively reduce the flow of blood to your heart muscle. Your heart will "struggle" to acquire enough blood flow (and, therefore, oxygen), which may result in typical symptoms that most people might not identify as a major problem. A lot of people ignore these symptoms, blaming them on exhaustion, indigestion or heartburn, strained muscles, or simply "stress." Continue to ignore these symptoms, it can take longer to get a diagnosis, which might lead to more serious issues like a heart attack."He further shared multiple indications that someone has a heart blockage, but they sometimes go unnoticed since they don't show up as clear symptoms. Insufficient blood flow to the heart could be the cause of a person's lack of energy when they feel exhausted but are unable to identify the cause. As such, people might find that they get tired more quickly than normal when they attempt to perform something, like walking or climbing stairs.Many people have different experiences with chest discomfort than they anticipate. They describe it as a sensation of weight, tightness, or slight pressure on their chest rather than as a violent pain. People believe that either gas or indigestion is the cause of the intermittent discomfort.Because their heart can no longer pump enough oxygenated blood to their body, people may experience dyspnea while completing daily duties. Breathlessness can occur with minimal effort.Particularly when one is extremely engaged, the reduced blood flow to the body's vital organs might cause abrupt weakness, dizziness, or a faint sensation.When combined with other symptoms, a feeling that resembles acid reflux, nausea, or stomach pain but has no recognized explanation may be linked to cardiac issues.Abrupt perspiration without physical activity or exposure to heat may be a sign that the body is under stress due to decreased blood flow.Pain in the leg while walking may sometimes be due to peripheral arterial disease, the presence of which, if confirmed, should prompt us to look for coronary blockages as well.Medical experts consultedThis article includes expert inputs shared with TOI Health by:Dr. Praveen Raman Mishra, associate consultant- Cardiac Sciences, ShardaCare, Healthcity.Dr. Akash Motgi, consultant- Interventional Cardiologist, Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune.Inputs were used to explain why supplement overdose is a big health risk and why one should consult doctor before taking natural alternatives.