Symptoms of Narrowed Arteries

Narrowing of the arteries

This can be defined as arteries/blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to other parts of the body. They may accumulate fat and cholesterol in the arteries as a result of the accumulation of plaque term atherosclerosis. It should be noted that the accumulation of plaques obstructs the blood flow through the arteries as required. Which prevents enough blood and oxygen from reaching the different tissues of the human body. It is mentioned that atherosclerosis is a common problem associated with aging to some extent.

Symptoms of narrowed arteries

The first signs of atherosclerosis may begin to develop during adolescence, as this condition is accompanied by the appearance of spots of white blood cells on the artery wall. In many cases, no symptoms may appear on a person until the plaques rupture or blood flow is greatly restricted. It is mentioned that this may take several years to occur. In general it can be said that the apparent symptoms and indications of atherosclerosis depend mainly on the affected arteries, and this can be shown as follows:

Carotid arteries

The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain. And if not enough blood reaches the brain, it can cause a stroke:

• Weakness.
• Difficulty breathing,
• Headache.
• Facial numbness.
• paralysis

Coronary arteries

These coronary arteries supply blood to the heart, and if there is not enough blood supply to the heart, this can cause angina or heart attack. Coronary arteries are a group of symptoms, including the following: 

• vomiting
• severe anxiety
• chest pain
• Coughing
• fainting

Renal arteries

As the term shows, the renal arteries supply blood to the kidneys, and if the blood supply to this part of the body is impaired, this may increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Among the symptoms, we mention the following:

• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of hands and feet.
• Having trouble concentrating.

Diagnosis of arterial stenosis

The diagnosis of atherosclerosis depends on the medical and family history of the person concerned, his physical examination, and the results of other tests and examinations;

Physical examination

The doctor, using a stethoscope, listens to the sound of blood flowing inside the arteries in order to detect the presence of an abnormal sound known as a murmur. This type of sound indicates poor blood circulation due to the accumulation of plaques in the arteries, and a physical examination also includes pulse detection. Whether it is weak, as these cases may be associated with atherosclerosis.

Diagnostic tests

Your doctor may recommend one or several tests to diagnose atherosclerosis, given its role in determining the severity of the disease and developing an appropriate treatment plan. The following is a list of the most prominent of these tests:

Blood tests

These analyzes contribute to detecting the levels of many substances in the blood; Such as some types of fats, cholesterol, sugar, and proteins, and abnormal levels of these substances may constitute a sign that a person is at greater risk of developing atherosclerosis.

Electrocardiography (ECG)

This examination contributes to revealing many things; Including detecting and recording the electrical activity of the heart, as this planning works to show how fast the heart is beating and whether its rhythm is steady or irregular, and it also works to record the strength and time of electrical signals as they pass through the heart. The heart is used for signs of heart damage as a result of coronary artery disease, or signs associated with a heart attack. Whether current or previous, it should be noted that this test is characterized by its simplicity and that it does not cause pain to the person when performing it.

Chest X-ray

This imaging contributes to giving pictures of the organs and structures inside the chest; Such as the heart, lungs, and blood vessels, and it can also detect signs of heart failure.

Ankle/Brachial Index

This test compares blood pressure in the ankle with blood pressure in the arm to see the extent of blood flow, and this test contributes to the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease.

Echocardiography

Which depends on the use of sound waves in order to form a moving image of the heart, as this contributes to providing the doctor with information that supports the size and shape of the heart. And the efficiency of the work of the heart chambers and valves. This planning enables to determine the areas of the heart. Which is characterized by poor blood perfusion or not contracting normally. In addition to determining the extent of previous injury to the heart muscle as a result of poor blood perfusion.

Computed Tomography Scan

This imaging contributes to creating images of the heart, brain, or other areas of the body. This is done with the aim of revealing the extent of hardening and narrowing of the large arteries. And also contributes to showing the extent of calcium accumulation in the walls of the coronary arteries. This may be considered an early sign of coronary heart disease.

Stress tests

This test helps show certain signs and symptoms that may indicate coronary heart disease.

Angiography

This imaging depends on the use of dye and special X-rays to show what’s inside the arteries, as this test contributes to detecting the presence of accumulated plaques and the severity of the blockage.