10 possible warning signs of blocked arteries
“Blocked arteries” usually refers to atherosclerosis, where fatty plaque builds up inside arteries. Importantly, early atherosclerosis often causes no symptoms, and symptoms depend on which arteries are affected.
Possible warning signs include:
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Chest pressure or pain with exertion — may indicate reduced blood flow to the heart.
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Shortness of breath during activity — particularly when it’s new or worsening.
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Pain, aching, or cramping in the legs when walking that improves after resting — a classic symptom of peripheral artery disease.
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Coldness in one foot or leg compared with the other.
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Numbness or weakness in a limb, particularly if associated with poor circulation.
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Slow-healing wounds on the feet or legs.
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Weak or difficult-to-feel pulses in the feet.
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Sudden neurological symptoms such as facial drooping, one-sided weakness, difficulty speaking, or sudden vision loss, which can occur when arteries supplying the brain are affected.
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Erectile dysfunction, which can sometimes be associated with impaired blood flow.
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Unusual fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance, although these symptoms have many possible causes and aren’t specific to blocked arteries.
🚨 Know the emergencies
Chest pressure/pain, severe breathlessness, or sudden sweating/nausea can indicate a heart attack and requires emergency medical attention.
Likewise, sudden weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking, sudden vision loss, or severe balance problems can indicate a stroke—call your local emergency service immediately.
And sudden severe pain, coldness, numbness, or discoloration of a limb can indicate evaluate your blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, pulses, and—when appropriate—perform vascular testing or an acute loss of blood flow and requires emergency assessment.
Having one of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean an artery is blocked. A clinician may need to evaluate your blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes risk, pulses, and—when appropriate—perform vascular testing or imaging.
