What Are the Symptoms of Atherosclerosis?

Arteries transfer blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Over time, fatty particles can build up in the arteries, causing a decrease in blood flow to the rest of the body, known as atherosclerosis. If these fatty deposits become dislodged from the arterial wall, they can create a clot and cause heart attack and stroke. It's important for people to recognize the symptoms of the potentially deadly phenomenon.

Causes

• Signs that atherosclerosis may develop include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, according to the American Heart Association. All of these lead to increased pressure or fatty build-up in the arteries, but they are not guaranteed to create atherosclerosis.

Early Symptoms

• Since the fatty deposits accumulate over time, there are rarely any early warning signs of atherosclerosis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Blood flow is restricted slowly, causing tiredness and exhaustion over a long period of time, so you would likely never notice.

Heart

• Atherosclerosis in the heart arteries can cause heart attacks both on a minor or major scale. Symptoms include chest and arm pain, and difficulty breathing. A heart attack can lead to heart damage and potentially death.

Brain

• When an artery to the brain is blocked, it can cause a stroke. A section of the brain is deprived of oxygen and can lead to brain damage and paralysis. Symptoms include numbness or tingling in the extremities, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, loss of muscle control and headache.

Arms and Legs

• Arteries that become blocked in the arms and legs may create circulation problems. You may become unable to differentiate hot and cold and in extreme cases it can create necrosis of the tissue.