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Blockage In Arteries: Warning Signs To Know
Blocked arteries is a condition in which plaque builds up in the arteries and restricts blood flow. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, calcium, and other substances that accumulate in the artery wall. This buildup can lead to a variety of medical issues, including stroke, heart attack, and kidney failure. In some cases, it can even be fatal.
Causes Of Blocked ArteriesHigh cholesterol levels are one of the most common causes of blocked arteries. When fatty deposits, such as cholesterol, build up in the arteries, they can narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow. High blood pressure is another common cause of blocked arteries. The increased pressure can damage the artery walls and cause them to narrow and block the flow of blood.
Smoking is another major risk factor for blocked arteries. Smoking damages the lining of the arteries and increases the risk of plaque buildup. Obesity, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle can also increase the risk of developing blocked arteries.
Certain medications and medical conditions can also increase the risk of blocked arteries. These include high doses of certain steroids, diabetes medications, and some chemotherapy drugs. Additionally, research says some people are more likely to develop blocked arteries due to their family history or genetic makeup.
Warning Signs Of Blocked ArteriesHere are some red flags that will tell your arteries are blocked:
Chest PainOne of the most common warning signs of blocked arteries is chest pain or discomfort. This pain can range from mild to intense, and can feel like pressure, squeezing, or burning. It may also be accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, or fatigue.
Also read: Try This Ayurvedic Concoction To Open Blocked Arteries Due To Cholesterol
FatigueFatigue or a general feeling of being tired can be a warning sign of blocked arteries. This is because the heart is not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood due to the blockage.
Swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles can be an indication of blocked arteries. This is because the body is not able to properly circulate blood due to the obstruction.
Cold ExtremitiesIf your hands and feet are often cold, it could be a sign that your arteries are blocked. This is because a lack of oxygen-rich blood is not being delivered to the extremities.
Shortness of BreathShortness of breath is another common symptom of blocked arteries. This is because the heart is not receiving enough blood and oxygen to function properly.
PalpitationsPalpitations, or an irregular heartbeat, can be a warning sign of blocked arteries. This is because the heart remains deprived of enough oxygen-rich blood and is struggling to pump.
DizzinessDizziness or lightheadedness can be a sign of blocked arteries. This is because the brain is not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood and is struggling to function properly.
Also read: Clean Your Arteries With These Superfoods
Prevention Of Blocked ArteriesIn order to prevent blocked arteries, it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly are two key components of prevention. Additionally, it's important to monitor and manage any existing health conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. In some cases, blocked arteries can be treated with medication or even surgery.
What To Know About A Basilar Artery Stroke
A basilar artery stroke is a stroke affecting the back of the brain. It can occur when the basilar artery, which provides blood to the posterior areas of the brain, becomes blocked or ruptured.
The basilar artery is the main artery at the base of the brain, forming where the two vertebral arteries join. The basilar artery supplies vital oxygen-rich blood to the back of the brain, which includes the brainstem, cerebellum, and thalamus.
A basilar artery stroke is a type of posterior stroke, which affect the back part of the brain.
This article covers the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for a basilar artery stroke. It also looks at how doctors diagnose the condition, the potential complications, a person's outlook, and methods of prevention.
A posterior stroke, such as a basilar artery stroke, may cause different symptoms than strokes that affect other areas of the brain.
These symptoms may include:
A basilar artery stroke occurs when there is an interruption in blood flow to the brain from a blockage or damage to the basilar artery.
A basilar artery stroke may be ischemic, which means it is due to a blood vessel blockage, or hemorrhagic, which means it is due to a blood vessel rupture.
Narrowing or blockage of the basilar artery may occur due to atherosclerosis or an embolus, such as a blood clot or fatty deposit.
In atherosclerosis, fatty deposits called plaques collect in the arteries. They are the leading cause of ischemic stroke, which may occur due to:
Risk factors for a basilar artery stroke include:
When a person arrives at the emergency room for a stroke, doctors will quickly assess the following:
To diagnose a basilar artery stroke, doctors may carry out the following tests:
Doctors will first carry out essential testing so they can begin treatment as quickly as possible.
After initial treatment, doctors will carry out more detailed examinations to determine the cause of the stroke, which will help them decide on the best course of treatment. These tests may include:
Immediate treatment for a basilar artery stroke may consist of medication to dissolve blood clots, such as alteplase or tenecteplase, or a thrombectomy. A thrombectomy is a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot from a blood vessel.
Doctors will monitor people throughout treatment and recovery.
People may need to take antiplatelet medication, which helps prevent blood clots for a period of time following a basilar artery stroke.
The length of time people will need to take antiplatelet medications will depend on the cause and type of basilar artery stroke.
People may then need to take aspirin as a doctor instructs.
Depending on the symptoms of a basilar artery stroke, people may require rehabilitation care as they recover, which may include:
Acupuncture may help reduce vertigo.
With stroke, immediate medical attention is vital for the best outcome.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who arrive at the emergency room within the first 3 hours of symptoms appearing usually have less disability after 3 months compared with people who received delayed medical attention.
The outlook of a basilar artery stroke also depends on the severity of the stroke and access to appropriate treatment and care.
Without prompt treatment, basilar artery stroke may be fatal or cause severe neurological problems. With early and proper treatment, the outlook may be good, with minimal adverse effects.
Certain lifestyle and dietary changes may help prevent a basilar artery stroke or prevent a stroke from recurring, such as:
Potential complications of a basilar artery stroke can result from the stroke itself or from its treatment.
Complications of treatment include:
Stroke can cause permanent complications, such as a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing.
If stroke results in disability or immobility, a person may experience:
People will need to call 911 if they think they or someone else is having a stroke.
Symptoms of a stroke include:
Symptoms of a basilar artery stroke may include:
Learn more about the symptoms of stroke.
A basilar artery stroke occurs due to a blockage or rupture in the basilar artery, which supplies the back of the brain with blood.
Signs of a basilar artery stroke include vertigo, slurred speech, and weakness on one side of the body. People will require emergency medical attention for a stroke. Prompt treatment may help improve outcomes.
Doctors Said Weight And Stress Caused Her Symptoms. They Came From A Blocked Heart Artery.
After a week of remote work in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Denise Castille was packing up her desk and preparing to leave for the airport to catch a flight back to her home in McKinney, Texas.
Most of her co-workers had already left for the Independence Day long weekend when Denise, then 46, started experiencing sharp chest pain. She began sweating profusely. Her skin suddenly appeared gray. She called out to a colleague, who called 911.
The paramedics arrived and checked her heart's electrical activity using an electrocardiogram. They determined she was having a heart attack. Denise was rushed to the hospital where doctors discovered a 99% blockage in her heart's main artery.
Denise's mother, Shirley Castille, booked a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth airport and rushed to the hospital to be at her daughter's side.
"There just aren't words to explain how a mother feels when she sees her daughter fading away," Shirley said. "I asked God to give me the strength to do what Denise needed me to do."
Denise spent a month recovering in Michigan before doctors gave her permission to travel home.
Looking back on the 2015 heart attack, Denise believes things could have turned out much differently.
"The thing that we do as women is ignore signs. We put a Band-Aid on it. We take aspirin, promise we'll rest," she said. "We have got to know what the risk factors are (and) what it looks like if someone is having a heart attack."
It wasn't just that Denise dismissed her symptoms. Her doctors did, too.
About six months before her heart attack, Denise saw her primary care physician to discuss why her feet and ankles were swollen. The doctor told Denise she was overweight and the swelling would resolve if she lost weight. One month later, Denise started experiencing chest pain.
"It scared the heck out of me," she said. "But at no point did I make the connection that the chest pain had something to do with my heart or was related to the swollen feet and ankles."
Then came the day Denise took Shirley to a doctor's appointment. The paperwork asked all sorts of questions about symptoms of heart problems. Denise checked "no" for Shirley, but realized the answers were "yes" for herself.
"I started having some bells and whistles," Denise said. "That's when I knew it could be my heart."
Denise saw a cardiologist. After a stress test, the doctor said there was no indication she had a blockage or any signs of heart issues. This was about three months after she'd begun having chest pain.
She left the doctor's office feeling relieved. Fear returned when Denise, a corporate trainer, left for a business trip to Denver.
Heart palpitations prompted Denise to start monitoring her blood pressure. She saw it was on the rise. She logged her symptoms in a spreadsheet, which she gave to her cardiologist at a follow-up appointment a month after the previous visit. The doctor handed it back to Denise and said, "I don't need it because there is nothing wrong with your heart."
The cardiologist chalked up the symptoms to stress and told her to relax.
Two weeks later, Denise was in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Each time she experienced heart palpitations, she reassured herself that it was just stress. Hours later she was in an ambulance, headed to the hospital. Doctors ended up opening her blocked coronary artery by inserting a stent during a non-invasive procedure.
Four years later, Denise experienced several episodes of a low heart rate. One time, she passed out and spent the night in the emergency room. Doctors diagnosed it as an isolated incident. Seven months later, she was back in the hospital. This time her heart stopped, and she had to be resuscitated. She ended up getting a device implanted to help maintain a regular rhythm.
Denise was grateful she survived. But she carried a lot of anger over multiple missed diagnoses that could have proven fatal. She even contacted an attorney about pursuing legal action but decided to take a positive approach to recovery.
Denise founded a nonprofit organization, Fresh Start for Your Heart, that provides heart disease education and resources. She teaches CPR classes and participates in American Heart Association events.
"Denise is a real survivor," Shirley said. "And because she survived, she wanted to give back."
American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved.
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Citation: Doctors said weight and stress caused her symptoms. They came from a blocked heart artery. (2023, April 26) retrieved 27 April 2023 from https://medicalxpress.Com/news/2023-04-doctors-weight-stress-symptoms-blocked.Html
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