Arterial occlusion is thought to occur only in the elderly. However, most of us get clogged arteries in our twenties. As a result, many people with the disease don’t know what’s going on until it’s too late. It is important to recognize the symptoms and see a doctor as soon as possible.
At Bright Side, we care about our readers, so we’ve compiled a list of the seven most common symptoms of blocked arteries. Know your risk factors and make changes in your daily activities to protect your health.
- Calf, hip and thigh pain
Arterial blockage can cause leg pain during activities such as walking. This indicates that your limbs are not getting enough oxygen. Muscle aches, legs (or arms) are symptoms of pain. The location of the occlusion or narrowed artery determines the location of the pain.
- Chest discomfort
Decreased blood flow to the heart can cause chest pain (or angina). Symptoms include tightness, numbness, heaviness, pain, and burning. This symptom is usually absent when people are resting, because it is caused by physical and emotional stress. In some cases, the blockage is so severe that angina is a sign of a heart attack.
- Temporary blindness on one side
Our eyes and brain are fed by the carotid artery. If these vessels become blocked, the vision in one eye may be temporarily lost or blurred. A stroke is caused by a complete blockage. As a result, it’s important to be aware of these warning signs.
- Lower back pain
Lower back pain is a serious symptom that should not be ignored. When blood flow to the lower back is reduced, the discs between the vertebrae become vulnerable. As a result, the nerves will be pinched. It is often the first sign of arterial blockage: studies show that 10% of people in developing countries have significant abdominal aorta blockage by age 20.
- Breathing problems
This symptom occurs when the coronary arteries become weak and painful. It occurs when a person’s heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Research shows that many people do not consider shortness of breath to be a serious problem. However, this is the only sign of severe coronary artery disease that requires attention.
- Your feet or hands are cold.
Peripheral artery disease can cause cold feet. This problem occurs when blood flow to the extremities is reduced due to narrowing of the arteries. Poor healing of wounds or slow pulse in the legs are signs that you need to see a doctor. In addition, PAD can be a symptom of more common artery disease in the body, which can affect the brain and heart and lead to strokes and heart attacks.
- Fatigue and dizziness
Fatigue is a rare but common symptom of coronary heart disease, according to Harvard Health Press. These symptoms are caused by low oxygen levels due to insufficient blood flow. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, women may experience these symptoms.
What factors contribute to the development of arterial occlusion?
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the following factors increase your risk.
Increases the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood.
This means that bad cholesterol is high and good cholesterol is low.
Hypertension is a condition in which blood pressure is abnormally high.
Blood pressure should not exceed 140/90 mm Hg.
Smoking use.
Smoking damages and narrows blood vessels, increases cholesterol, and raises blood pressure. In addition, it prevents the body tissues from getting enough oxygen.
Obesity or overweight.
Overweight is defined as a body mass index of 25-29.9. A higher number indicates that the person is overweight.