My dad recently got his blood test results, and they weren’t what he hoped for—high cholesterol. Combined with his already high blood pressure, this increases his risk of clogged arteries.
Arteries transport oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body, but when they become clogged—a condition called atherosclerosis—it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and other cardiovascular diseases.
In the U.S., heart disease is the leading cause of death, taking about 600,000 lives yearly. It’s a silent killer, often showing no symptoms until it’s too late.
Symptoms of Blocked Arteries
The symptoms of clogged arteries depend on which arteries are affected:
- Carotid arteries (Brain): Signs of a stroke, including dizziness, confusion, speech problems, blurry vision, weakness, severe headache, or loss of balance.
- Coronary arteries (Heart): Chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, and pain spreading to the jaw, neck, shoulders, or back.
- Renal arteries (Kidneys): No early symptoms, but later stages may cause high blood pressure, nausea, fatigue, swelling, and kidney failure.
- Peripheral arteries (Limbs & Pelvis): Pain, numbness, or infections in the legs, arms, or pelvis due to reduced blood flow.
What Causes Artery Blockage?
Artery blockage, or atherosclerosis, occurs when arteries harden, thicken, and narrow due to plaque buildup. This buildup consists of fat, cholesterol (especially LDL), calcium, and cellular waste.
Key factors that damage artery walls include:
