Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): Symptoms, Treatment, & More
Heart Blockage Symptoms: 7 Warning Signs Of Blocked Heart Arteries Due To Excessive Cholesterol
Heart Blockage Symptoms: 7 Unusual Signs of Blocked Heart Arteries Due To Excessive Cholesterol Heart blockage signs and symptoms: Are you suffering from heart blockage? Keep an eye out for these unusual signs and symptoms that your body may show up.Blocked Heart Arteries Symptoms: Heart blockage, often medical folks term as coronary artery disease, isn't a rare thing; it's a menace troubling lots and lots of people all around the globe. Pretty scary to realize that your heart's blood flow can be narrowed or cut off, leading the heart muscles to strain or fail. This can mean severe chest pain, lack of breath, and worst-case scenarios like a heart attack or stroke. So, let's understand what causes this condition and what the body may show up to signal the onset of this dangerous heart condition.
High Cholesterol and Blocked Heart Arteries: 7 Symptoms to Keep an Eye OnWhen heart arteries become narrowed or jam-packed due to cholesterol accumulation, a severe condition called heart blockage or coronary artery disease, emerges. Awareness of early warning signs can improve overall prognosis, so this article lists these 7 possible symptoms.
Unusual Chest DiscomfortA primary sign of heart blockage is angina - discomfort or pain in the chest, often described as pressure, squeezing, fullness, or tightness. The pain could radiate to the arms, back, neck, jaw, or shoulders and usually arises during physical effort or emotional stress when oxygen-rich blood is insufficient due to narrowed arteries.
Difficulty BreathingDifficulty breathing, specifically when active or reclining, is another hint of potential blocked heart arteries. Here, the heart struggles to meet the body's blood requirements, resulting in breathlessness often accompanied by weakness, dizziness, or fatigue.
Extreme Tiredness or FatigueCholesterol buildup in arteries can curtail blood flow towards the heart muscle, causing tiredness or weakness. Even with adequate rest, those with a blocked heart may feel incessantly tired, a direct result of the heart's inefficacy to pump enough oxygen-rich blood to body tissues.
Irregular HeartbeatIrregular or rapid heartbeats, or palpitations, can indicate heart blockages. If the bloodstream is compromised due to cholesterol blockages, the heart compensates for the lack of oxygen by beating irregularly or rapidly. Palpitations can feel like a flutter, pound, or race in the chest, accompanied often by dizziness or lightheadedness.
Unexplained Excessive SweatingSudden, inexplicable sweating, often cold sweats, is a clear indicator of blocked heart arteries. While sweating is typically due to stress or exertion, when it arises without a clear trigger, it might hint at an underlying heart disease. Sweating, especially alongside other signs, should never be dismissed.
Nausea and VomitingIf you are someone who is feeling or dealing with persistent vomiting and nausea, take this as an indication that your body is not in good condition. Individuals with blocked heart arteries might go through bouts of nausea, indigestion, or vomiting. This occurs because the heart's compromised ability to pump blood efficiently hampers oxygen supply to digestive organs.
Swollen Feet and LegsBlocked heart arteries can make fluid retained in the body, leading to swelling in feet, ankles, or legs. This condition, known as edema, arises when the heart fails to circulate blood throughout the body, causing fluid to pool in the lower extremities. Weight gain or a heavy feeling in the legs may accompany swelling
You must understand that timely recognition of these signs and symptoms of a heart blockage can help in timely medical intervention. If persistent or intense symptoms are noticed, immediate medical attention is advised. Listen to your body and prioritize your heart.
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Here's What You Need To Know About Your Life Expectancy After A Heart Attack, Based On Your Age
Having a heart attack can drastically change the course of your life. Once you recover at the hospital, you'll have to meet up with a cardiologist regularly and implement lifestyle changes that nurture your heart. Despite these positive steps, it's still possible your life expectancy post-heart attack will change, especially depending on your age.
About 805,000 people have a heart attack in the U.S. Every year, with someone having a heart attack every 40 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Though common, and fatal in serious cases, most people make a full recovery, according to Nikki Bart, MD, a heart failure and heart transplant cardiologist at the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute.
Here, cardiologists explain how your life expectancy changes after a heart attack, how long it takes to heal, and how you can improve your longevity after this life-changing event.
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First, what causes a heart attack?A heart attack happens when there isn't enough blood flow to the heart muscle, per the Cleveland Clinic. Without proper blood flow and oxygen, the heart muscle begins to die, causing a heart attack. This medical emergency can result in permanent heart damage if not treated properly and in time.
The most common cause of a heart attack is coronary artery disease—a type of heart disease that causes plaque to build up in your arteries, per the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Over time, plaque buildup will block blood flow to your heart and result in a heart attack.
You're at higher risk for heart attack if you have the following, per the CDC:
Signs of a heart attack can vary from person to person. While some symptoms are mild (or even non-existent), others can be severe, per the Mayo Clinic. Some of the most common heart attack warning signs include the following:
If you notice any signs of a heart attack, call 911 and get to the ER immediately. Even if you're unsure whether or not a heart attack is happening, it's better to get help either way. They can treat any other underlying causes of your symptoms.
Life expectancies after a heart attack by age"Having a heart attack is a warning sign that you're at risk of more heart attacks," says Dr. Bart. Subsequent heart attacks are most likely to happen within 90 days after the first, further threatening your life expectancy.
"Subsequent heart attacks in this vulnerable period are a major second hit and can reduce your life expectancy by a staggering 50 percent over the next five years," says Dr. Bart. "The estimated lifetime risk of having a second heart attack is 54 percent, but for patients who focus on prevention and optimize all risk factors, this drops to 21 percent," she adds.
"For the average patient this translates to an extra 7.5 event-free years of life," adds Dr. Bart.
Post-heart attack lifespan also depends on how old a person is when they have a heart attack. Here are some stats:
"The risk of having a second heart attack is 54 percent, but for patients who focus on prevention, this drops to 21 percent."—Nikki Bart, MD, cardiologist
How long does it take for your heart to heal after a heart attack?Heart attack recovery looks different for everyone. And because everyone's heart and body is different, recovery time can vary, too.
Recovery time "depends on if you had any significant scarring from your heart attack, or if there were dangerous arrhythmias," says Stephanie Saucier, MD, a cardiologist and co-director of the Women's Heart Wellness Program for Hartford Healthcare's Heart and Vascular Institute.
"Some people's hearts never fully heal from a heart attack. Others, with intervention and proper medications, may maintain their myocardial function. We often check somewhere between 45 days to 90 days after a heart attack to see if cardiac function has recovered or improved."
Bottom line? Recovery can take anywhere between two weeks to more than three months, per Dr. Bart. This all depends on the type of heart attack, treatment received, response time, and your overall medical status.
How to increase your longevity post-heart attackLifestyle habits and heart-attack treatment options can increase life expectancy if proper steps are taken, per Dr. Saucier. She and Dr. Bart suggest these heart-health tips to increase longevity:
Have a conversation with your doctor as soon as possible after a heart attack"One of my goals as a cardiologist is to get people to understand the urgency about talking to your doctor about the right treatment plan for you, especially those who've had a heart attack or who are at high risk," says Dr. Bart.
"It can be easy to put off scheduling an appointment, but you don't want to wait when it comes to taking care of your heart health," she adds.
Follow a healthy diet and exercise routineTry to eat more high-fiber foods and things low in saturated and trans fats, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, poultry, or fish, says Dr. Saucier.
As for exercise, the CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. Make it part of your daily routine by finding movement you enjoy, whether that's brisk walking to reduce heart disease risk, using light weights, or swimming.
Limit tobacco and alcoholUsing tobacco products or heavily drinking alcohol can put you at risk for another cardiovascular event, because it increases your levels of triglycerides—a fatty deposit that can build up and create a blockage within your blood vessels, per Dr. Saucier. It also increases inflammation and promotes the process by which lipids build up in plaques in the walls of arteries.
If you're looking to quit smoking, reach out to your doctor for support. They can recommend online or in-person smoking cessation programs and other resources.
Try out a cardiac rehab programIt's best for anyone who's had a heart attack to enroll in a cardiac rehab program, says Dr. Bart. This is typically a structured program for exercise, risk-factor management, and education to navigate life after a heart attack. Each program will likely look slightly different, depending on the hospital or medical center you get care from.
Staying consistent with this rehabilitation program, and learning as many heart health tips as possible, can increase your chances of a better quality of life after a heart attack.
Take any prescribed medicationHeart medications are essential to prevent future heart attacks and repair your heart from damage. According to the Mayo Clinic, heart attack patients may be prescribed one (or more) of the following:
Understanding your risk factors for heart attack and heart disease is the first step to reducing them. After a heart attack, getting on top of conditions like high cholesterol, diabetes, blood pressure, and stress levels is essential. Your doctor can help you create short-term and long-term health goals to meet. And if you're unsure about anything or have concerns, let your doctor know. They are there to help, says Dr. Bart.
How to prevent heart attacksHeart attacks and other heart issues are sometimes preventable, but there are factors out of our control, like genetics.
"If you have a first-degree relative (e.G. Parent or sibling) who's had a heart attack, especially at a young age, then you're at higher risk of the same," says Dr. Bart. "Knowing this now is empowering because it means you can get early screening and treatment if necessary."
Modifiable risk factors that you can realistically treat or reduce include high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, diet, exercise, sleep, and stress. "There is an interplay between these risk factors as well, so optimizing one may improve others," says Dr. Bart.
When to see a doctorNo matter your age, life expectancy after a heart attack is different for everyone, and depends on many factors. The most important step is to get help as soon as you see signs of a heart attack.
If you've had a heart attack, getting regular checkups with your doctor—both physicals with your primary-care doctor and check-ins with your cardiologist—and working with other experts, like a preventive cardiology nutritionist, are also important and can help you recover fully.
Lastly, it's important to manage "modifiable" risk factors, like diet and exercise, to improve your life expectancy as you age.
FAQ What is your life expectancy after having stents put in?A stent is a small, mesh tube used to hold open weakened or narrowed blood vessels in the body, and are often used in coronary arteries to help deliver more blood to the heart, per the NHLBI.
Your life expectancy after getting a stent varies from person to person, says Dr. Saucier. It's based on several factors, including heart-health risks like diabetes, weight management, blood pressure control, and smoking. Life expectancy will also depend on the degree of damage caused by the heart attack or cardiac event.
Can I strengthen my heart after a heart attack?With proper treatment, it's possible to strengthen your heart after a heart attack, says Dr. Bart. "The correct heart medications have a powerful role in remodeling your heart," she adds.
Exercise will also help strengthen your heart long term. "Enrolling in cardiac rehab will also give you the power to understand how to build back your cardiovascular fitness slowly, and then build an exercise program into your daily life," adds Dr. Bart.
Well+Good articles reference scientific, reliable, recent, robust studies to back up the information we share. You can trust us along your wellness journey.
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Healthcare: Beating Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and in Kentucky. According to the American Heart Association, about 10,000 of the state's 4.4 million residents die of heart disease annually, the eighth highest rate nationwide.
But these poor statistics are reversible. In fact, individuals are making choices every day to lessen their risk factors, and the state's top cardiovascular experts are here to help with their best advice for prevention, what to do in a potential emergency and if there is one, what treatment options are saving lives and preserving quality of life more than ever.
Healthy tips
Focusing on a heart-healthy lifestyle should be foundational in a person's wellness journey, said Dr. Steve Lin, a cardiologist with CHI St. Joseph Health.
There are many ways to do this, he said, including knowing and heeding the American Heart Association's "Life's Essential Eight" checklist for lifelong health. That list includes actions toward keeping blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels in optimal ranges, along with healthy diet, exercise, stress management and other lifestyle choices like avoiding or stopping smoking and getting enough quality sleep.
Regular checkups with primary caregivers and/or cardiovascular specialists are also important so that you know where your health metrics stand. Making it a priority to keep those numbers in check can reap many rewards, including the likelihood of fewer medical tests, procedures and pills to take now and in the future.
Lin said regular exercise — at least 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise weekly — is recommended to avoid the health pitfalls accompanying a sedentary lifestyle, like obesity and diabetes.
"Regular exercise is one of the most effective therapies," Lin said. "It has numerous benefits," including elevating mood and boosting metabolism.
He recommends starting where your abilities allow and gradually building on progress toward these recommended levels. Look for ways to get small bursts of exercise into each day, like taking the stairs versus the elevator or parking farther away from destinations.
Even if you have a strong family history of heart disease, it's not inevitable that you will have heart disease as well, said Dr. Raymon Nelson, a cardiologist at Pikeville Medical Center. One simply must be more proactive and take risks seriously.
"You're going to need to be more aggressive in your protection methods," Nelson said. "One of the things that is important is knowing your cholesterol level. At an early age we should know what our cholesterol level is."
Nelson recommends keeping close track of cholesterol levels with yearly bloodwork and then managing with medications if needed.
Some heart disease risk factors can be changed, he adds, such as diet, customs and lack of exercise.
"It's not a death sentence," Nelson said. "Just because your father had a heart attack doesn't mean you are going to have a heart attack. You can alter it by altering environmental factors, and you can alter it with medications that your father didn't have."
There now are medications that are injected twice yearly that are proven effective in lowering cholesterol.
What to do in an emergency
Heart illness and life-threatening crises do happen, but there are effective actions to take in a potential cardiac emergency, said Dr. Vincent L. Sorrell, acting chief for the division of cardiovascular medicine and acting director of the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute at UK HealthCare.
Sorrell notes that women often have different heart attack symptoms than men and this often creates delays in seeking care, which worsens the odds for recovery or survival.
"Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, taking one in three women's lives annually," he said.
More people should take the time to learn CPR so that they can help others experiencing a cardiac arrest emergency, and know how to use a defibrillator, which today is often available in public places.
Sorrell said that of those who experience cardiac arrest in a community setting, 60% do not get CPR. For those who do and are correctly administered defibrillation within a minute, the survival rate is around 90%.
Sorrell said people wait an average of three hours to seek help after symptoms arise. Those symptoms may include tightness or fullness in the center of the chest, or discomfort affecting the shoulder, neck, jaw, teeth, back, stomach or arm lasting 15 minutes or more.
"We know 'time is muscle,'" he said. "Because when you're having a heart attack, muscles die."
He advises people who notice symptoms to call 911 as soon as possible.
Those without an aspirin allergy or potential side effect from it may benefit from taking an aspirin right away. If the person has had a past blockage and is prescribed nitroglycerin, that can also help buy time until emergency care is available, he said.
Loved ones of someone experiencing potential symptoms of a cardiac event should insist the person seek emergency care. In the meantime, encourage them to relax and loosen any tight clothing while monitoring for lightheadedness, change in mental status or loss of consciousness.
Dr. Lin said not everyone experiencing a heart attack has obvious signs like chest tightness—30% of men and 50% of women don't. Fatigue and shortness of breath can be warning signs, too, among others.
His best advice is "that they seek attention quickly."
If a stent is placed in a blocked vessel within an hour of onset of a heart attack, full recovery is likely, Lin said. If six hours elapse, chances are moderate, and after 12 hours, full recovery is highly unlikely.
Treatment and recovery
At UofL Health, interventional cardiologist Dr. Chandhiran Rangaswamy holds an optimistic view of modern heart disease treatments.
"Just about every (cardiac illness) is treatable. How much recovery there will be is what's in question," he said.
A heart attack—which is loss of adequate blood flow to the heart muscle—can be treated with angioplasty or bypass surgery, depending on the severity of blockage, and congestive heart failure is often treatable with medication, also depending on severity. Arrhythmias can be treated with medication or an ablation procedure, depending on type.
Recent innovations such as drug-eluting stents (DES) placed during angioplasty deliver medication directly to the arterial wall to prevent growth of scar tissue and reduce the risk of narrowing of the stented area after treatment, Rangaswamy said. Robot-assisted surgeries are helpful, too.
In addition, cardiac rehabilitation can recondition the heart after a heart attack, diagnosis of heart disease-related conditions or certain arrhythmias. Rangaswamy said such programs are helping patients live longer with diet and exercise programs and smoking cessation.
Innovations in cardiovascular care are helping patients combat heart disease, Lin said.
"This field has the largest number of innovations—from device therapy to medical care—in all subspecialties of cardiovascular medicine," he said.
These include a type of balloon angioplasty used in Europe and available soon in the U.S. That contains chemotherapy to prevent arterial renarrowing. Drug-coated stents can also contain chemotherapy to prevent renarrowing and help patients remain symptom free after placement, Lin said.
New, safer placement sites for pacemaker leads are showing promise as well. Remote monitoring devices can be implanted for patients with unexplained fainting or strokes to better pinpoint a cause.
Drugs unavailable five to 10 years ago for heart failure are working well today, Lin adds.
While stress isn't a clearly quantified contributor of heart disease, it is known that the stress hormone cortisol can lead to insulin resistance, inflammation, poor dietary choices and sedentary tendencies, so it's important to actively manage stress not only for emotional health but cardiovascular wellness.
And it's not all based on medication and technological intervention.
Lin sees common threads in patients doing well at age 90 and older. Most are women with a normal body build and they have an air of gratitude, purpose in life, are active, have strong personal connections with friends and family and enjoy their lives.
Striving for that mindset and lifestyle may well be the secret to longevity.
"I think that aspect of their health is a very important part of overall cardiovascular health," Lin said.
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