Vascular Surgeon reveals why healthy arteries get blocked, warns against 5 symptoms that are commonly ignored

Dr Sumit Kapadia, Vascular Surgeon and Varicose Vein Specialist, recently on his IG handle, spoke about artery blockages, and why even healthy arteries get blocked. Dr Kapadia mentioned that arteries (even 'healthy' ones) don't get blocked all of a sudden, though gradual narrowing can occur without any warning, or mild signs only.

High BP in women: Why their symptoms, triggers & risks look different

Morning habits that reduce your vitamin B12 levels without you realizing

This process, known as 'Atherosclerosis' literally means the presence of fat into the blood vessels. This fat, or cholesterol, Dr Kapadia says, when combined with calcium, and inflammatory cells, leads to plaque. When these narrowed arteries suddenly have a blockage, that can cause a blood clot, leading to a heart attack, brain stroke, or Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in the legs. Hence, people who think they are healthy, might be carrying an underlying condition that they are not even aware of, says Dr Kapadia. For this, it is important to get regularly tested, and to watch out for these 5 signs that are common indicators of artery blockage.

Chest pain, or angina, often feels like pressure, tightness, or squeezing in the chest, spreading to arms, neck, jaw, or back, especially during activity or stress. This happens when heart arteries narrow, starving muscle of oxygen, yet many attribute it to indigestion or muscle strain and ignore it. Leg pain while walking, called claudication, points to peripheral artery disease where blockages cramp calf muscles due to poor leg circulation. Back or arm pain can mimic too. Studies show angina affects millions silently progressing to attacks if untreated. Rest eases it briefly, but recurring pain demands immediate doctor visits for EKGs or stress tests to prevent a fatal event.

Shortness of breath strikes even with light tasks like climbing stairs, as blocked arteries limit oxygen to lungs and heart, forcing harder work. People often blame fitness loss or asthma, overlooking how plaque reduces lung blood flow during exertion or rest. This symptom worsens lying down, signaling fluid buildup from heart fatigue. Research links it strongly to coronary disease, with early detection via lung function tests averting failure. Accompanying dizziness or nausea heightens urgency. Smokers or diabetics notice it first, but anyone feeling winded unusually should seek EKGs promptly to clear blockages before emergencies hit.

Dr Kapadia adds that even though fatigue is a vague sign, it should not be ignored when combined with other signs. Unexplained fatigue drains energy daily, even after rest, because narrowed arteries deliver less oxygen to muscles and organs, mimicking constant exhaustion. Many attribute it to busy lives, poor sleep, or aging, delaying checks that reveal coronary or peripheral blockages. It worsens with activity, leaving weakness that hampers work or walks. Studies confirm fatigue as a top overlooked sign in women especially, tied to silent ischemia where heart tissue suffers quietly. Blood tests for anemia or cholesterol, plus EKGs, pinpoint causes. Addressing via statins or angioplasty restores vitality, proving early action beats prolonged tiredness.

Numbness, tingling, or coldness in arms, legs, hands, or feet arises when blockages cut blood to limbs, causing peripheral artery disease symptoms many mistake for poor posture, or nerve pinches. Fingers or toes may pale or hurt at rest in advanced cases. Diabetics face higher odds, with weak pulses confirming via exams. Research shows it predicts heart events, as same plaques hit multiple sites. Ankle-brachial index tests diagnose quickly. Lifestyle fixes like quitting smoking help, but stents clear severe clogs to revive feeling, and prevent ulcers or amputations.

Swelling, or edema, puffs ankles, feet, or legs from fluid trapped when arteries and veins clog, impairing drainage and heart pump efficiency. People ignore it as standing too long or salt intake, but persistent one-sided swelling screams vascular issues needing ultrasound scans. It ties to deep vein thrombosis or heart failure from coronary blockages. Studies link leg edema to doubled stroke risk if untreated. Elevating legs helps short-term, but diuretics or surgery target roots. Diabetics or post-surgery patients watch closely, as ignored swelling leads to skin breaks and infections fast.

To keep artery blockage at bay, exercise is extremely important. Combine it with a healthy diet and regular check ups. Together, these habits help improve blood flow, control cholesterol levels, and reduce the risk of long-term cardiovascular complications.