Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease or CAD is a condition where blockages impede the flow of blood to the heart through the arteries. It is the most common heart disease and affects more than 10 million people every year in India. If CAD is left unchecked, it can cause heart attacks, which are often fatal.

Therefore, you need to know the causes and symptoms of coronary artery disease, so that you can be on the lookout for the condition.

Causes for coronary artery disease-

• Atherosclerosis- The primary and most common cause of coronary artery disease is the deposition of excess cholesterol in the arterial walls. These cholesterol particles impede the normal flow of blood to the heart, thus depriving the organ of oxygen. This state is known as atherosclerosis. Over time, limited blood flow results in heart attacks.

• Clot or embolism- A blood clot inside the body may get detached and travel to the heart, causing blockage to the blood flow.

• Inflammation- In rare cases, the artery concerned may be swollen or inflamed, leading to coronary artery disease.

• An aneurysm- A vastly dilated part of the artery may also be responsible for blocking the normal blood flow, causing coronary heart disease.

Symptoms of coronary heart disease

If you are affected by coronary artery disease, you will likely experience certain symptoms from the disorder. These symptoms include-

• Pain in the chest

• Heaviness

• Squeezing

• Burning

• Tightness

• Pain in the shoulder and arms

• Dizziness

• Sweating

• Shortness of breath

While these symptoms are common for men, here is a look at some symptoms of the disorder in women.

• Back pain

• Vomiting

• Nausea

• Jaw pain

• Shortness of breath, without the chest pain

Apart from these symptoms, coronary heart disease may also cause you to develop abnormal heart rhythms, weakness and decreased blood flow to the heart.

Coronary artery disease demands immediate medical intervention, which is why you should consult a doctor and get yourself diagnosed if you encounter any of the above symptoms.