Heart health: 5 warning signs of blocked arteries that require immediate attention

When it comes to our hearts, like it is with all organs, with age and poor lifestyle, it starts getting weaker. The formation of blocked arteries occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances accumulate inside blood vessels, which leads to reduced or complete blood flow. The condition represents a major health emergency, because it leads to heart attacks, strokes and reduces blood circulation. Early detection of blocked arteries enables you to obtain immediate medical assistance which protects your body from severe damage. Here are 5 early signs of blocked arteries that require urgent attention...

Angina represents the most typical symptom of blocked arteries, which produces chest pain as its main indicator. The center or left side of your chest experiences a sensation of tightness, pressure, heaviness or squeezing pain. The discomfort from blocked arteries tends to move from the chest area to the arms, neck, jaw, shoulder and back regions. Physical activity and stress trigger the onset of pain, which disappears when you rest or take medication. A heart attack becomes more likely when chest pain persists for an extended period, or becomes intense/ occurs without any physical activity. Medical professionals need to treat blocked arteries right away because they can cause permanent heart damage, by interrupting blood flow to the heart.

The heart requires sufficient oxygen-rich blood to function properly, but blocked arteries restrict this blood flow which leads to breathing difficulties. The condition leads to breathing difficulties, which occur during light physical activity, and sometimes while resting. The feeling of insufficient air intake or breathing difficulties can make you extremely uncomfortable. The symptom develops slowly, but requires immediate medical assessment when it worsens, or when chest pain or fainting occurs. Your heart or lungs experience stress because of insufficient blood flow, which leads to shortness of breath as a warning sign.

The condition peripheral artery disease (PAD) develops when arteries in your arms or legs become blocked, which blocks blood flow to these areas. The muscles in your body experience cramping, pain, tightness and weakness, when you walk or exercise, but these symptoms disappear when you rest. The affected limbs show signs of numbness and coldness, and their skin color changes. A severe blockage exists when symptoms become more severe, or when they appear while you remain stationary. Medical professionals need to treat this condition right away, because it will prevent permanent damage to the affected limb and loss of its function.

The body experiences dizziness or lightheadedness when arteries that supply blood to the heart or brain, become blocked. The body experiences sudden intense sweating, and you will feel weak and faint at the same time. A person might experience nausea and vomiting as symptoms which frequently appear before, or during a heart attack. In such a scenario, the brain or heart requires emergency care because they lack sufficient oxygen supply, which these symptoms indicate. These warning signs should never be disregarded, because they can result in fatal consequences or dangerous medical emergencies.

The electrical signals in your heart become disrupted when arteries become blocked, which leads to palpitations and irregular heart rhythms. Your heart experiences an abnormal sensation which might feel like rapid, irregular beating, skipping heartbeats or pounding rhythms. Physical exertion leads to fatigue and weakness as a result of this condition. A dangerous heart condition exists when palpitations appear together with chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness. In such a scenario, medical professionals need to evaluate you right away because arrhythmias and heart failure can develop as complications.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice

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