All parts of the body need oxygen and nutrients to function normally. The arteries are blood vessels that take oxygen-rich blood away from the heart and then delivers them to all parts of the body. The cardiac arteries or coronary arteries supply the heart with blood. When they get blocked as a results of plaque buildup, it results in a cardiac disorder called coronary artery disease.
Angina
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute explains that angina, or chest pain, is a common sign of coronary artery disease. It is described as a feeling of pressure on the chest area or as a squeezing sensation inside the chest. The arteries may become hard and narrow as a result of plaque buildup. This in turn leads to a reduction in the amount of oxygen-rich blood supplied to the heart. Angina occurs when cells in the heart are deprived of oxygen.
Shortness of Breath
The Mayo Clinic says that shortness of breath or rapid breathing are other symptoms of blocked coronary arteries. In coronary heart disease, the heart may not receive adequate amounts of oxygen due to narrow arteries. Over time, this problem may lead to heart failure--a condition in which the heart is not able to pump enough oxygen rich blood to all parts of the body as a result of weakness. When an individual with coronary heart disease develops heart failure, he experiences shortness of breath during periods of strenuous physical activity due to lack of oxygen-rich blood, which should be supplied by the heart.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when plaque completely blocks the coronary arteries. A crushing pain in the chest, sweating, shortness of breath and pain in the arm or shoulder are symptoms of a heart attack.
Irregular Heart Beats
The rate at which the heart beats is controlled by the hearts electrical system. Low blood supply to the heart can damage this system, as reported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. When this happens, arrhythmias may occur. Arrhythmias are abnormal heart beats that may be too fast or too slow. They are also symptoms of coronary artery disease. That is because blocked cardiac arteries reduce blood flow to the heart, and this can lead to arrhythmias. While most arrhythmias are harmless, some of them may cause the heart to stop beating and can result in death if left untreated.
