What Are the Warning Signs for a Clogged Artery?

A clogged artery is a vascular condition that can be fatal if not treated in time. By recognizing the warning signs, one has a better chance of surviving or preventing this type of emergency.

Types

• In atherosclerosis, the arteries become narrow as a result of a build-up of cholesterol deposits. In arteriosclerosis, the deposits are composed of calcium. The deposits cause the artery walls to become thick and hardened, eventually clogging the artery.

Symptoms

• The first sign of a clogged artery is usually pain in the legs (often in the calf) brought on by walking and relieved by rest. Other symptoms include numbness, weakness, heaviness or cramps in the legs, breathlessness, aching muscles, fatigue and pain in the hips or thighs.

Considerations

• Smoking, genetics, hypertension, diabetes, high-fat diet and abnormal cholesterol levels are risk factors for atherosclerosis, the number one cause of a clogged artery.

Effects

• When an artery becomes clogged, it can cause high blood pressure, angina, heart attack or stroke.

Facts

• Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in the United States. Atherosclerosis is believed to be the underlying cause of about 40 percent of all deaths in the United States.