Blocked arteries lead to coronary artery disease, which occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries and blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, report doctors at the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute (NHBLI). Cholesterol, calcium and fat are some of the ingredients that cause plaque and lead to artheriosclerosis, or blocked arteries. In addition to artheriosclerosis, once the signs of blocked arteries are present, there is an increased risk of developing blood clots.
Angina
Angina is chest pain that feels like a vise squeezing around the chest. The pain of angina also can mimic the signs of indigestion and create pain in the back, neck, jaw or arms. Angina can develop as a chronic condition called stable angina. Patients with stable angina usually can predict what kinds of activities will trigger an attack, such as vigorous exercise or climbing stairs. Once started, the pain usually recedes within a few minutes. Unstable angina is not predictable and can occur during times of exertion or at rest. A sudden severe pressure in the chest may signal an impending heart attack. Variant angina typically occurs at night when the body is at rest.
Heart attack
The NHBLI reports that many people with blocked arteries have no obvious symptoms until they have a heart attack. A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot forms from the plaque in the arteries and breaks loose, cutting off the flow of blood to the heart. Lasting damage occurs the longer the heart is deprived of oxygen. Most heart attacks are precipitated by pain or discomfort in the chest that comes and goes. Heart attacks often are misinterpreted as heartburn or indigestion. Symptoms of a heart attack also can include, dizziness, vomiting or cold sweating.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is when the heart begins to flutter irregularly. As the artery walls begin to quiver, the blood cannot flow properly to the heart. Blood clots can form while and cause a stroke or heart attack. A stroke is the result of a blood clot cutting loose and traveling to the brain, cutting off blood flow. If the ventricles pump too fast, heart failure can occur. Symptoms of heart failure include swelling in the legs, shortness of breath and fatigue. Arrhythmia that signals blocked arteries is called atrial fibrillation.
Risks
Blocked arteries are common among the elderly, report researchers at Merck. Up to 20 percent of those over the age of 70 have signs of blocked arteries. The condition also carries some genetic components, as heart disease tends to run in families. Others at high risk for developing blocked arteries include people who are physically inactive and those who are obese.
