What Are the Signs and Symptoms of
Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis usually doesn't cause signs and
symptoms until it severely narrows or totally blocks an artery. Many people
don't know they have the disease until they have a medical emergency, such as a
heart
attack or
stroke.
Some people may have other signs and symptoms of the
disease. These depend on which arteries are severely narrowed or blocked.
The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to
your heart. When plaque narrows or blocks these arteries (a condition called
coronary
artery disease, or CAD), a common symptom is
angina
(AN-ji-na or an-JI-na).
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when
your heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina may feel like
pressure or a squeezing pain in your chest. You also may feel it in your
shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.
This pain tends to get worse with activity and go
away when you rest. Emotional stress also can trigger the pain.
Other symptoms of CAD are shortness of breath and
arrhythmias
(irregular heartbeats).
The carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to
your brain. When plaque narrows or blocks these arteries (a condition called
carotid artery disease), you may have symptoms of a stroke.
These symptoms include sudden numbness, weakness, and dizziness.
Plaque also can build up in the major arteries that
supply oxygen-rich blood to the legs, arms, and pelvis (a condition called
peripheral
arterial disease). When these arteries are narrowed or blocked, it can lead
to numbness, pain, and sometimes dangerous infections. |