Heart and blood-vessel disease can develop gradually, sometimes without obvious symptoms for years. Plaque buildup inside arteries can narrow the vessels and reduce blood flow to important organs, including the heart, brain, and legs.
The tricky part is that there isn’t a single symptom that can prove you have clogged arteries. Some people have significant artery disease with few or no symptoms, while others develop noticeable warning signs when blood flow becomes restricted.
Knowing the possible symptoms can help you recognize when medical attention may be needed.
1. Chest Pain, Pressure, or Tightness
One of the best-known symptoms of reduced blood flow to the heart is angina.
It may feel like:
- Pressure or squeezing in the chest
- Tightness or heaviness
- Burning or discomfort
- Pain that appears during exercise or emotional stress and improves with rest
The discomfort may also spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, back, or upper abdomen.
Important: New, severe, or unexplained chest pain can be a medical emergency.
2. Shortness of Breath
If the heart isn’t receiving enough oxygen-rich blood, physical activity may become more difficult.
