Coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease, results from the buildup of fatty and other substances that form plaque on the walls of the arteries. The condition, called atherosclerosis, causes the narrowing of the arteries and difficulty in blood flow reaching the heart. In some cases, symptoms of heart disease may not occur. As the fatty deposits continue to build up, however, people may experience signs of reduced blood flow. People with symptoms should seek emergency medical treatment.
Common Signs
Angina, a common symptom of coronary heart disease, causes pain, discomfort, tightness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness or squeezing sensations in the chest, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Sometimes it can be confused with heartburn or indigestion symptoms. However, unlike with heartburn, angina pain may also form in the shoulder, arms, neck, back or jaw. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath can occur, and women, the elderly and diabetics are more likely to experience fatigue, shortness of breath and weakness than chest pain during angina attacks.
Angina Types
Stable angina, a chronic condition, often feels like gas or indigestion, according to Medical News Today. Symptoms often occur during physical exertion. Discomfort may last a short time, and symptoms may occur regularly over a period of months or years. Rest or medication can relieve symptoms. Blood clots lead to unstable angina, which usually occurs during rest and may worsen over time. Variant angina causes severe pain from spasms that tighten or narrow an artery. It also occurs during rest.
Similar Effects
Some angina symptoms may also signal heart attack. Sweating or breaking out into a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, anxiety or irregular heartbeats occur with angina and heart attack.
Heart Function
A heart attack strikes when the heart muscle dies from lack of oxygen-rich blood. A blood clot usually forms in a coronary artery and can stop the supply of blood to the heart. Symptoms vary, and may include chest discomfort or pain, crushing chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, coughing or dizziness. Facial color may turn gray and the person may have a feeling of terror. The chest pain may spread to the abdomen, shoulder blades, neck, jaw, ears, arms and wrists.
Abnormal Heartbeat
A racing of the heart, fluttering in the chest or slow heartbeat indicates heart arrhythmia, or an abnormal heartbeat, notes MayoClinic.com. Heart arrhythmia relates to coronary heart disease in that it can be caused by scarring of heart tissue because of a heart attack or heart disease. Smoking, stress, excessive alcohol use and medications may also cause heart arrhythmia. Other symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness and fainting.
