If you mean what this headline is referring to, “blocked arteries” usually means atherosclerosis—a buildup of plaque inside arteries that can restrict blood flow. Importantly, blocked arteries can cause no symptoms until the narrowing becomes significant, so symptoms alone cannot diagnose them.
10 warning signs that can be associated with reduced blood flow
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Chest pressure, tightness, or pain, particularly with exertion.
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Shortness of breath, especially during activity.
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Pain or heaviness in the legs when walking that improves with rest (possible peripheral artery disease).
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Leg or foot numbness or weakness.
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Cold feet or legs compared with the other side.
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Slow-healing wounds on the feet or legs.
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Weak or difficult-to-feel pulses in the legs.
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Sudden weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, or vision problems—possible warning signs of reduced blood flow to the brain.
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Unusual fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance, which can sometimes accompany cardiovascular disease.
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Erectile dysfunction, which can sometimes be associated with blood-vessel disease.
🚨 Don’t wait with these symptoms
Chest pain/pressure lasting several minutes, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or sudden facial drooping, arm weakness, or difficulty speaking can indicate a heart attack or stroke. Seek emergency medical care immediately.
And don’t rely on an online “10 signs” checklist to determine whether your arteries are blocked. Doctors assess cardiovascular risk using things such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes status, smoking history, symptoms, physical examination, and sometimes imaging or other tests.
