It is commonly believed that arterial blockage is only seen in older people. But in many cases, arterial blockage occurs as early as age 20. As a result, many people who suffer from this condition don’t realize what’s happening until it’s too late. By knowing the symptoms and being alert, you can seek medical attention in time.
Below are the seven most common signs of an arterial blockage. Study your risk factors and make changes to your behavior for the sake of your health.
Pain in your calves, hips or thighs
Walking may cause discomfort in your legs, which is a sign of arterial blockage. This indicates that not enough blood is flowing to your extremities. Cramps in the legs or aches and pains are possible symptoms (or arms). The position of the clot or blocked artery determines where the discomfort is felt.
Chest pain
Decreased blood flow to the heart causes discomfort in the chest, often called angina. The pain may feel like pressure, tightness, numbness, heaviness or burning. Because angina occurs as a result of physical or emotional strain, people often do not feel this symptom at rest. Sometimes the congestion can be so severe that in some people, angina can be a sign of a heart attack.
Temporary loss of vision on one side
Our brain and eyes are fed by the carotid arteries. If these arteries become blocked, the affected eye on the same side may become temporarily blind or lose its vision. A complete blockage leads to a stroke. It is therefore very important to be aware of this symptom.
Lower back pain
You should not ignore the main warning sign – discomfort in the lower back. The discs between the vertebrae become weakened due to the deterioration of the blood supply to the lower back. This leads to pinching of the nerves, which causes pain. According to one study, 10% of people living in wealthy countries already have a significant obstruction of the abdominal aorta by the age of 20. This is usually the first symptom in people with arterial obstruction.
Dyspnea
This symptom occurs when the coronary arteries are damaged or diseased. People suffer from this because their heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. According to research, many people do not consider shortness of breath a serious problem. However, it can sometimes be the only sign of serious coronary heart disease that needs to be treated.
Cold feet or hands
Cold feet (PAD) can be caused by peripheral arterial disease. This condition occurs when narrowing of the arteries reduces blood flow to the extremities. Other warning signs include slow wound healing or a weak pulse in the legs. In addition, the presence of PAD may be a sign of more common vascular disease in the body, which can affect the heart or brain and lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Fatigue and dizziness
Although less common, Harvard Health Publishing notes that fatigue can sometimes be a sign of coronary heart disease. These signs and symptoms can be the result of insufficient blood flow, which reduces oxygen levels. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, these symptoms occur more often in women.
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