Mind Merger

'You Can Have 70% Blocked Arteries And Still....', Says Vascular Surgeon: 5 Unnoticed Warning Signs Of Blocked Arteries

5 Subtle Warning Signs of Blocked Arteries

Inexplicable Fatigue
- Feeling unusually exhausted even with little physical activity — tasks that shouldn’t tire you out leave you drained.
- This happens because narrowed arteries reduce oxygen supply to your muscles and organs.
Chest Pressure or Discomfort
- Not always sharp pain. More often, a heaviness, tightness, or pressure in the chest, like wearing a tight belt.
- This discomfort may come on during exertion (walk, climb stairs) and ease with rest.
- It can also radiate (spread) to other places: jaw, arms, back, or shoulder blade.
Shortness of Breath / Dizziness
- You may feel breathless or dizzy when walking, exerting yourself, or even when lying down.
- These symptoms can be mistaken for dehydration, anemia, or just “getting older,” but they may actually reflect poor circulation.
Cold Extremities & Slow-Healing Wounds
- Hands or feet feeling unusually cold, tingling, or numb.
- Cuts or wounds in the limbs (especially legs or feet) that take a long time to heal — because the blood flow is compromised.
- Poor circulation in peripheral arteries (e.g., in legs) can cause these signs.
Unusual Pain in Other Parts of the Body
- Pain not just limited to chest — could be in the jaw, left arm, back, or between shoulder blades.
- Even dental pain (without any obvious dental cause) might hint at heart-related issues according to Dr. Kapadia.

Silent progression: Arterial plaque buildup can be gradual, and many people don’t feel symptoms until the blockage is quite significant.
Compensation by the body: Sometimes the body adapts. Alternative blood flow paths (collaterals) or slower flow might mask severe narrowing.
Variability in symptoms: Classic “textbook” angina (crushing chest pain) doesn’t always appear. Some people have milder, atypical symptoms.

Don’t ignore these subtle symptoms, especially if you have risk factors (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, family history).
Ask your doctor about early screening — Dr. Kapadia recommends tests like:
- Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) — to check circulation in limbs.
- Doppler scans — to evaluate blood flow in peripheral arteries.
Make lifestyle changes: healthy diet, exercise, controlling blood pressure / cholesterol can help prevent progression.