Blocked Arteries Symptoms

Blocked arteries typically refer to the condition where the main arteries that supply blood to the body becomes blocked with fat deposits that impede the normal and sufficient blood flow in the circulatory system. This results to narrowing of the carotid artery due to fat or cholesterol deposits. Blocked arteries symptoms then surface once the blood flow to the brain, heart and body parts are restricted.

The condition can be harmful as blocked arteries symptoms are highly associated to brain damage and neurological deficit consequences. The extent of the symptoms varies from minor to major deficits. Early recognition of the common blocked arteries symptoms can help prevent cardiac arrest and stroke.

Signs of Blocked Arteries Symptoms

Blocked arteries symptoms may involve different manifestations according to the kind of artery that suffers impeded circulation. Once there is a plaque build up in the lining of the arterial wall, the artery becomes rigid and less flexible which makes the blood flow more difficult. The coronary artery is the major artery that supplies blood from the heart to the brain. Once the artery suffers from obstruction, angina pectoris becomes the classic symptom experienced by a person. It is characterized by chest pain. This type of blocked artery symptom is often misconceived as indigestion by many.

Once the carotid artery suffers from blockage of sufficient blood flow, the typical blocked arteries symptom experienced is shortness of breath. This is typically accompanied with numbness, dizziness and headache. With inadequate blood flow to the brain it may cause brain cell damage that may result to variable blocked arteries symptoms such as loss of vision or hearing on one side and difficulty speaking.

Blocked arteries symptoms do not typically occur mainly to the main arteries supplying the heart and brain but it may also occur in peripheral arteries that supply the arms and legs. Once the peripheral artery is impeded, the common symptom manifested is muscle pains in the leg. Improper blood flow to the distal part of the leg may also deprive the cells on the legs essential nutrients and immunity against infections. In this case, gangrene or death of tissue may occur that can spread throughout the body.

Diagnosis of Blocked Arteries Symptoms

There are variable tests that can help diagnose blocked arteries. A cardiologist will most likely make a patient undergo a stress test. Other diagnostic tools for blocked arteries symptoms include coronary angiogram and CT angiogram both of which are procedures that explores the anatomical structure of the heart to pinpoint the extent of the blockage of blood flow in the arteries.

The preference on which diagnostic tool to use will depend on the situation. Oftentimes stress test suffices being a more convenient form of diagnostic procedure compared to the invasive procedures such as angiogram.

Treatment of Blocked Arteries Symptoms

There are different forms of treatment options to relieve blocked arteries symptoms. One is angioplasty where a catheter is inserted along the groin to reach the blocked artery and the catheter becomes inflated to provide better opening on the arteries to allow better flow of blood. Other treatments used are intracoronary stent, directional coronary atherectomy and bypass surgery. All treatment procedures for blocked arteries symptoms are directed to improve blood circulation into the arteries.