Arterial sclerosis, which is more accurately referred to as arteriosclerosis, is a condition that affects the arteries, or blood vessels, that carry blood to the heart. Fatty plaques can build up along the interior wall of any artery in the body, interfering with the normal flow of blood. This plaque buildup leads to hardening of the arteries, or arterial sclerosis. People who develop arterial sclerosis symptoms should seek medical care as soon as possible.
Angina
People with arterial sclerosis typically do not experience symptoms until plaque buildup narrows the affected artery by at least 70 percent, explain health experts with The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. When the flow of the blood to the heart slows down, those with arterial sclerosis can experience angina symptoms. Angina is a medical term used to describe sensations of pain, tightness or pressure within the chest. Angina symptoms related to arterial sclerosis can occur suddenly and may persist for a few minutes. Affected individuals should seek prompt medical care as this arterial sclerosis symptom is also a symptom of a heart attack.
Breathing Difficulties
Inadequate blood flow to the heart due to arterial sclerosis can cause breathing difficulties in affected people. Breathing difficulties can include shortness of breath, explain medical experts with the University of California San Francisco Medical Center. Those affected can become unusually out-of-breath or fatigued during normal physical activities, such as climbing a flight of stairs.
Limb Pain or Numbness
Plaque buildup within the peripheral arteries of the arms or legs can cause symptoms in people with arterial sclerosis. Affected individuals can develop sensations of pain or numbness within the affected body regions. Certain people can also experience muscle burning or aching due to insufficient blood flow to the affected limb, according to health professionals with MedlinePlus. These sensations can interfere with a person's ability to stand or move about normally. Poor blood flow to the brain due to arterial sclerosis can also cause sensations of weakness on one side of the body. People who develop sudden or severe weakness require immediate medical care as this symptom of arterial sclerosis is also a sign of a stroke.
Difficulty Speaking
If the flow of blood to the brain slows down or stops due to arterial sclerosis, affected people can experience difficulty speaking, warn health experts with MayoClinic.com. A person can begin to slur their words while speaking, making communication difficult. This arterial sclerosis symptom can also be a sign of a transient ischemic attack, which can lead to stroke if immediate medical intervention is not received.
