How To Identify Symptoms Of Clogged Arteries

Atherosclerosis is the medical term used to describe clogged arteries or hardening of the arteries. It is a common form of heart disease, in which arteries become ‘clogged’ or ‘plugged’ with a fatty substance so that blood cannot easily flow and deliver oxygen rich blood. You might experience clogged arteries in the heart, brain, kidneys, intestines, arms or legs. It’s important to know the symptoms of a clogged artery, especially if you have risk factors for getting one, so that you can get medical assistance as quickly as possible.

Identifying Common Symptoms of Clogged Arteries


1.Look for symptoms of a heart attack.

Specific symptoms can signal the beginning of a heart attack, during which oxygen-rich blood does not feed the heart muscle. If the heart does not get enough oxygen-rich blood, part of it can die. The amount of damage to the heart muscle can be reduced when you are treated with medications at a hospital within one hour of experiencing the symptoms. The symptoms include:


  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Chest heaviness or tightness
  • Sweating or ‘cold’ sweats
  • Feeling of fullness or indigestion
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Extreme weakness
  • Anxiety
  • Rapid pulse or irregular heart rhythm
  • Shortness of breath


2.Identify symptoms of a blocked artery in the kidney.

These can be different than the symptoms of a blocked artery elsewhere. Suspect a blocked artery in the kidney if you experience: high blood pressure that is difficult to control, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, itching skin, or difficulty with concentration.

If the artery is completely blocked, you may experience fever, nausea, vomiting, and steady aching pain in the lower back or abdomen.
If the blockage is from small blockages that lodge in the renal artery, you may also have similar blockages in other areas of your body, such as in your fingers, legs, brain or intestines.

3.See your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

While you may not be totally sure that you have a blocked artery, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Contact your doctor and describe your symptoms to him or her. Your doctor will either tell you to come in to his or her office or to go to your closest emergency room.

4.Remain still and do no activity if medical care is not available right away.

Rest quietly until medical care arrives. By remaining very still you will reduce the oxygen needs and workload of the heart muscle.


  • It is NOT advisable to take an aspirin with symptoms of clogged arteries in the heart without an evaluation by emergency medical personnel. Not all heart attacks are can be treated with an aspirin and in some cases it can make the situation worse.

Preventing Clogged Arteries

Understand the causes behind clogged arteries.

While many people believe the fatty substance that blocks arteries is caused by an excess of cholesterol, this explanation is much simpler than the complexities of the different sizes of cholesterol molecules. Cholesterol is required by the body to make vitamins, hormones and other chemical transmitters. Researchers have discovered that while certain cholesterol molecules are dangerous to your heart and developing clogged arteries, it is sugar and carbohydrates which set up an inflammatory response in the body that is a significant precursor to atherosclerosis.


  • While you might be steering clear of saturated fats to reduce your cholesterol level and risk of atherosclerosis and clogged arteries, you will have been making a significant mistake. Eating healthy saturated fats has not been scientifically linked with heart disease and clogged arteries.
  • However, diets high in fructose, sugar-filled low-fat food options, and whole grain wheat have been linked to dyslipidemia creating clogged arteries. Fructose can be found in beverages, fruits, jelly, jams and other pre-sweetened food.


Eat a healthy diet rich in healthy saturated fats and low in sugar, fructose, and carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are metabolized into sugars in the body and will also increase the inflammatory response. Large amounts of sugar, fructose, and carbohydrates will increase your risk of developing diabetes. Diabetes increases your risk of clogged arteries.


  • This includes only drinking a moderate amount of alcohol.

Stop smoking.

The exact toxic components in tobacco which trigger atherosclerosis and clogged arteries is not known, but researchers do know that smoking is a primary risk for inflammation, thrombosis and the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, all of which contribute to clogged arteries.

Keep your weight within normal weight range.

Increased weight increases your risk of diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, increases your risk of clogged arteries.

Get regular exercise for 30 minutes every day.

A lack of physical exercise is one of the factors that predict 90% of the risk of heart attacks in men and 94% of the risk in women. Heart disease and heart attacks are just two of the results of clogged arteries.

Try to reduce the stress.

Another contributing factor may be your levels of stress. Just remember to relax and take breaks that will help you to unwind. While taking your blood pressure won’t tell you how bad you cholesterol is, it can most definitely be an indicator in whether or not you should be concerned.

Tips: 


  • Preventing or delaying the onset of clogged arteries will require to your diet and lifestyle choices. However, those changes will pay off in the long run with better health and a better potential you’ll be able to enjoy life.
  • Pay attention to the symptoms of clogged arteries and ask your physician for further testing if you suspect that a lifetime of poor nutritional choices have increased your chances of atherosclerosis. Early diagnosis and treatment can increase the potential you won’t experience significant symptoms.