Clogged Arteries: What Are the Signs and Symptoms

Your arteries are a vital part of your heart and circulatory system. They are responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to organs and tissues around the body. But if the walls of the arteries become damaged by something like high blood pressure, this can cause inflammation and can lead to the build-up of fatty material.

For those who might not know, clogged arteries result from a buildup of a substance called plaque on the inner walls of the arteries. This condition can reduce blood flow or, in some instances, block it altogether.

You might already be wondering about what causes arterial plaque. Well, plaque accumulating on the inner walls of your arteries is made from various substances that circulate in your blood. These include fat, calcium, cellular waste, and cholesterol. In response to plaque buildup, cells in your artery walls multiple and secret additional substances that can worsen the state of clogged arteries.

Are there symptoms of blocked arteries? In many instances, clogged arteries don’t cause any symptoms until a major event, such as a heart attack or stroke occurs. At other times, the buildup of arterial plaque may cause symptoms. Among the most notable ones include chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, weakness, nausea, or sweating.

The good news is there are several tests for clogged arteries. Your medical practitioner will determine which tests to prescribe based on your symptoms and medical history. The tests may include cholesterol screening, chest x-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, angiography, MRI or PET scanning.

In a nutshell, angiography is a medical imaging technique used to visualize blood vessels using X-rays, often with the help of a contrast agent. Healthcare providers use an angiogram of your heart, neck, kidneys, legs or other areas to locate the source of an artery or vein issue.

If you’re diagnosed with clogged arteries, then you can leverage a variety of prevention and treatment options to your advantage. One of the best ways to go about this is through lifestyle changes. A healthy lifestyle is essential for the management of arterial plaque and treatment of clogged arteries.

Your doctor might also recommend surgical or interventional procedures. Surgical procedures may include stent placements, bypass surgery, and balloon angioplasty. In a nutshell, balloon angioplasty helps open clogged arteries that have become partially or fully blocked by opening up the blockage with a device that pushes the plaque to the side walls of the arteries.