10 indicators of narrowed or blocked arteries you shouldn’t ignore
“Blocked arteries” can refer to plaque buildup in different parts of the circulation. Symptoms depend on where the narrowing occurs, and some people have no symptoms until disease is advanced. www.heart.org+1
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Chest pressure, squeezing, or discomfort — particularly with exertion, which can indicate reduced blood flow to the heart.
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Shortness of breath — especially with activity or together with chest discomfort.
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Pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw — can occur with heart-related ischemia. www.heart.org
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Leg pain or cramping when walking that improves after resting — a classic symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). www.heart.org
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Unusual heaviness, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs or feet, particularly during activity. www.heart.org
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One foot or leg feeling noticeably colder than the other. www.heart.org
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Pale, bluish, or otherwise changed skin color in a foot or leg. www.heart.org
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Sores on the feet or toes that heal very slowly or don’t heal. www.heart.org
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Reduced hair or slow-growing toenails on the affected leg, which can occur with reduced blood flow. www.heart.org
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Stroke-like symptoms, such as sudden weakness/numbness, difficulty speaking, or trouble understanding speech, when blood flow to the brain is affected. www.heart.org
When it’s an emergency
New or persistent chest pressure/pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, or sudden loss of blood flow to a limb requires emergency medical attention. Acute coronary syndromes and strokes need immediate treatment. www.heart.org+1
Having one of these symptoms doesn’t prove that an artery is blocked. Doctors can evaluate suspected PAD with an ankle-brachial index and, when appropriate, ultrasound or other vascular imaging. www.heart.org
