What Are the First Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease?

A heart attack can be an instantaneous event, but the coronary artery disease that may be at the core of a heart attack takes years to develop. A doctor may detect problems with clogged arteries as the result of blood tests. At that point steps would be taken to help lower the person's cholesterol, and a stress test may be given to determine how well blood is flowing.

Identification

• Coronary artery disease is a condition that occurs when the arteries that move blood to and from the heart become clogged. This most commonly occurs because of a buildup of fatty deposits known as lipids in the arteries. High cholesterol indicates an increase in the amount of lipids in the bloodstream. Coronary artery disease is one of the more common heart conditions, and if left untreated it could be fatal.

Effects

• The earliest signs of coronary artery disease are a collection of symptoms called angina. Most people describe angina as a tightness or painful sensation in the chest. It can feel like there is pressure being put on the chest, and when the initial sharp pain is gone an achy burning pain is left behind. The chest can feel heavy, and breathing may be difficult. Pain associated with angina is normally felt in the chest, the back and the jaw.

Potential

• Angina can escalate into more severe symptoms rapidly. These symptoms include labored breathing, nausea that can lead to vomiting, dizziness and the possibility of passing out, excessive sweating and a sharp increase in chest pain. As the pain increases, other symptoms such as apprehension and fear may start to occur as the person realizes he may be experiencing a heart attack. Panic may set in, and this could cause clammy and pale skin, which may be accompanied by redder-than-normal lips.

Prevention/Solution

• While the onset of a heart attack may be sudden, it is possible to work with a doctor to help prevent the episode from happening. Some of the symptoms of coronary artery disease, like chest pains and shallow breathing, can begin happening long before a heart attack takes place. A doctor will recommend a healthier diet and a change in lifestyle that includes exercise to help reduce cholesterol levels and reduce the chances that the symptoms would get worse.

Expert Insight

• The Mayo Clinic outlines a series of suggestions that could help reduce the possibility of contracting coronary artery disease. These include quitting smoking and reducing stress in your daily life. Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin may help decrease the chances of getting coronary artery disease by thinning the blood and reducing the possibility of a blood clot blocking an artery. The Mayo Clinic also suggests that a doctor may prescribe cholesterol medication to help combat coronary artery disease as well.