If an artery that supplies the heart with blood and oxygen becomes blocked, cells within the heart can die and a heart attack can occur. A blocked artery can exist without causing symptoms until it become serious. In other cases, there my be warning signs. If any symptoms suggestive of a blocked artery occur, it is important to seek medical attention.
Angina
If any artery, including those that supply the heart, becomes blocked due to plaque buildup, it is called coronary artery disease. If blood supply to the heart is blocked only briefly, then angina may occur, states the Cleveland Clinic. Angina causes sensations such as chest pain, tightness or pressure. The chest or lungs may feel achy, full, under pressure or as if they are being squeezed. The pain and discomfort may be localized to the chest or radiate to the shoulders, arms, neck or jaw. Angina may be mistaken for heartburn or indigestion. However, angina tends to get worse with activity and improves with rest. It is important to have the cause of any chest discomfort diagnosed properly. If the symptoms of angina last for more than five minutes, seek medical attention right away, notes the Cleveland Clinic.
Shortness of Breath
A blocked artery can limit the amount of oxygen that is delivered throughout the body. It can also inhibit the heart from pumping blood correctly and fluid may back up into the lungs. Both of these situations can lead to trouble breathing, warns the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. In the initial stages of coronary artery disease, there may be no symptoms or the symptoms may be so mild they are not connected with a serious illness. In some cases, symptoms such as shortness of breath get progressively worse as the blockage in the artery increases.
Heart Attack
In some patients, a heart attack is the first warning sign that the arteries that supply the heart have become blocked. A heart attack occurs when the heart is deprived of blood and oxygen for an extended period. Unlike angina, which causes no physical damage to the heart, during a heart attack, heart cells die. The Mayo Clinic recommends seeking immediate medical attention if there is chest pain, tightness or pressure; trouble breathing; sweating; pain that radiates into the back, neck or jaw; or dizziness. These are all signs that a heart attack may be occurring. Not all heart attacks cause all of the above symptoms and medical care should be sought, no matter how mild the symptoms seem.
