These 3 Signs of Clogged Heart Arteries Demand Immediate Attention

Chest pains signal a medical emergency.  If you’re experiencing them, call 911.

When it comes to your heart, every beat counts, and when that rhythm is interrupted, whether by clogged arteries or a heart attack, every second matters. In fact, half of heart attack deaths occur in the first three to four hours after onset of symptoms.

You can’t afford to ignore any indications or signs of clogged arteries.

Signs of clogged arteries should be taken seriously, as they’re a warning of coronary heart disease, a condition where the arteries cannot deliver oxygen-rich blood to the heart due to arterial plaque.

At Conway Medical Center, we know that heart disease is the #1 cause of death of Americans, and we’ve got a dedicated team of board-certified cardiologists at our CMC Heart Center ready to treat this condition and save lives in the process. Our Heart Center team uses recent, evidence-based techniques developed by Duke Health. As a result, we can offer leading heart care in Conway, Myrtle Beach and Horry County communities.

We’ll take a closer look at these common signs of clogged arteries, how coronary artery disease is treated and what steps you can take to improve your heart health.

3 Signs of Clogged Heart Arteries

1. Chest Pain or Discomfort (Angina)

When the blood flow is reduced to the heart, you can feel pressure, tightness, or heaviness in your chest. This is called angina, and we see it frequently.

There are two types of angina: stable and unstable.

• Stable angina, which is most common, is a temporary chest pain that will typically go away when you rest. It’s more noticeable when you’re emotionally stressed or you’re participating in some physical activity. This pain comes and goes, usually in a predictable pattern.
• By comparison, unstable angina doesn’t have any predictable pattern—it can even happen while you’re sleeping. Eventually, it can get worse over time, and an episode may last longer than 15 minutes. Unstable angina can directly lead to a heart attack.

2. Shortness of Breath

Did you feel winded after walking up the stairs? Do you find yourself running out of breath during routine tasks? Is it difficult to breathe when exercising?

When your arteries are clogged, they reduce oxygen supply to your heart, and can cause you to feel short of breath.

3. Dizziness and Fatigue

Poor blood flow can also be an indicator that your heart isn’t pumping blood efficiently, not only offsetting your balance but also causing fatigue. Dizziness can also be a sign of cardiomyopathy – a disease that affects the heart muscle. It can also be a red flag for coronary heart disease.

If you’re experiencing dizziness and fatigue, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with your doctor, who can then write a referral to one of our leading cardiologists in Myrtle Beach and Horry County. We have helped hundreds with coronary artery disease go on to lead healthier lives.

Can Clogged Arteries Be Reversed?

Although clogged heart arteries can not be 100% reversed, in certain cases, surgery can  the arteries and restore healthy blood flow to the heart.

In addition, we believe the crucial key to success in managing coronary heart disease is to make major lifestyle changes and work closely in conjunction with our leading, board-certified cardiologists.

Following are some changes we recommend:

• Don’t smoke–and remember that vaping is not a “safer” alternative to tobacco products
• Eat a heart-healthy diet that includes:
  • Low-sodium foods
  • Avoiding saturated fat and trans fat
  • Cutting back on sugar
• Consider adopting the Mediterranean diet
• Exercise—we suggest 30 minutes at least five days a week
• Take medications as prescribed
• Cut back on alcohol or eliminate it entirely
• Work closely with our team and follow our recommendations
• Manage chronic diseases, including:
  • High cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • High triglycerides

Do I Need Surgery to Treat My Blocked Heart Arteries?

We evaluate each individual case based upon your medical history, any chronic health conditions and the extent of your arterial plaque. If you are a surgical candidate, we may consider:

Coronary angioplasty, where we insert a stent into your artery so it will remain open.

Coronary artery bypass, where we create a new “path” so your blood flow goes around any blockages.

Can You Check for a Clogged Artery on Your Own?

No. While you can monitor risk factors like your blood pressure, heart rate and watch for symptoms, you’ll need a screening by one of our physicians to ultimately determine if you have one—and if you do, what is the extent of your arterial plaque.

We want to emphasize that while it’s always a good idea to monitor your health closely, you should not hesitate to get medical attention—failure to act in a timely manner could lead to more extensive, serious problems. Don’t take chances when it comes to your heart.

The Conway Medical Center Heart Center: Helping Maintain Your Cardiac Health

The warning signs we’ve mentioned in this article are just too important to ignore. While there may be several causes of symptoms like breathlessness and dizziness, they are clear indications that something could be wrong with your heart—and it takes the comprehensive care of our Heart Center team to make an accurate and timely diagnosis.

We encourage you to speak to your doctor if you have any concerns and get a referral to our Heart Center.

If you are experiencing chest pains or other symptoms of a heart attack, dial 911 to get immediate medical attention.

The content within this article and others on this website is only for educational purposes and should not be considered as medical advice. For any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.

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Sources:

American Heart Association, “Unstable Angina,” https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/angina-chest-pain/unstable-angina

Cedars Siani, “Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction),” https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/h/heart-attack-myocardial-infarction.html#:~:text=Half%20the%20deaths%20from%20a,an%20ambulance%20with%20trained%20personnel.

Cleveland Clinic, “Coronary Artery Disease,” https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16898-coronary-artery-disease

Mayo Clinic, “Coronary Artery Disease,” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350613

Mayo Clinic, “Dizziness,” https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dizziness/symptoms-causes/syc-20371787

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, “What Is Coronary Heart Disease?” https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/coronary-heart-disease