Symptoms of a Blocked Heart to Watch Out for

Heart blockage is a coronary artery disorder that can cause coronary heart disease or better known as deadly heart disease in the world. Recognizing and being aware of symptoms can reduce your risk of a heart attack.

Heart blockage is generally caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the heart arteries. These blood vessels surround the heart and have the task of carrying oxygen and various nutrients from the body to the heart.

Symptoms of a Blocked Heart to Watch Out for - Alodokter

Plaque or atherosclerosis is generally formed from cholesterol, fat, calcium, metabolic waste, and blood clotting material called fibrin. Although it can be separated from the walls of blood vessels, plaque deposits can be carried along with the bloodstream to be stuck in certain organs such as the brain. Another thing that can happen is the formation of blood clots on the surface of the plaque which are also able to clog arteries until the blood flow is interrupted.

High cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure are some of the conditions that are risk factors for heart block. Other risk factors for heart block include age, sex, and family history of the disease.

Heart Blocking Symptoms
Heart blockage can begin at a young age. Plaque will continue to grow and accumulate with increasing age. Usually this condition also shows no significant symptoms until the blood vessels actually constrict, are blocked, or even burst and cause a stroke or heart attack.

The most common symptom of heart block is chest pain or angina attacks. The chest pain that you feel can be described as heavy pressure, painful sensation, numbness, tightness, chest like squeezing, and feeling very painful. This pain can spread to the left shoulder, arms, neck, jaw and back. Chest pain can also be accompanied by nausea, sweating, and fatigue. Other symptoms that can also be experienced are fast or irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), feeling weak and dizzy.

Ischemia or disruption in blood flow can occur if blood flow is completely obstructed, and this condition can lead to a heart attack. Ischemia can occur when you are eating, exercising, over-enthusiastic, or exposed to cold temperatures. If it is really severe, ischemia can also strike when you are at rest.

Controlling several risk factors for heart block can help reduce the risk of heart disease. You can make changes to your diet to reduce cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and blood sugar, and stop smoking and start exercising regularly. Exercising can keep your weight within normal limits, thereby reducing the risk of various complications from obesity. Discuss with your doctor about how to prevent heart blockages that can be done and adjusted to the condition of your body.