Heart disease in blood vessels is known as atherosclerosis. It occurs when oxygen-carrying blood vessels become thick, to a point where they constrict blood flow to body tissues and organs. Common causes include cholesterol buildup, fats, and other substances on artery walls. Other than these factors, arteries can harden because of unhealthy lifestyles.
While people associate it with the heart, atherosclerosis can affect blood vessels in any part of the body. A clot can blood clot can occur in the arm or lower legs or brain or lungs. If you have ever received CPR training, you may recognize the following symptoms of atherosclerosis.
Chest pain
It’s the most common symptom of heart disease and is sometimes called angina. It can manifest as heaviness, discomfort, aching, fullness, pressure, painful, squeezing, or a burning feeling in the chest. Some patients may mistake it for heartburn or indigestion, and feel it in the shoulders, neck, throat, arms, jaw, or back.
Heart attack
Myocardial infarction occurs when an artery is completely blocked. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, pain in the arm or shoulder, sweating, and crushing pressure in the chest can signal a heart attack. This problem seems to affect more men than women, and can sometimes occur without any of the above signs.
Swollen feet and ankles
If your leg, ankle, or foot swells to a point where the finger leaves an indentation, you may reason to worry because you’re likely to experience heart failure. Swollen feet and ankles could be due to kidney disease, eating too much salty food, liver failure, a side effect of calcium-channel blockers, or venous inefficiency.
Shortness of breath
Atherosclerosis disease compromises the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. If the heart cannot pump enough blood to the body, you may experience shortness of breath and extreme fatigue with exertion.
Numbness and weakness in the legs
When atherosclerosis affects the blood vessels leading to the brain, it can trigger sudden weakness and numbness in your legs and arms. Other signs and symptoms include drooping facial muscles, difficulty speaking, slurred speech, and temporary loss of vision. A combination of these symptoms causes a transient ischemic attack, which leads to stroke if left untreated.
High blood pressure
Hypertension is a common symptom among people with heart disease in their blood vessels. It occurs when the arteries or vessels get clogged, causing the heart to work harder to pump blood. If not checked, it can cause kidney failure.
Other signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis include level-headedness, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, sweating, trouble understanding speech, and sudden severe headaches.
What can you do?
The best first aid is CPR. The best person to administer CPR is someone who has undergone CPR training. Signing up for classes and getting CPR certification increases your awareness and makes you ready. You will be capable of handling emergencies and using AED equipment to help victims with heart disease.
