Dealing With Clogged Arteries

There are three sets of arteries that can become clogged and create life threatening problems. The most well known is, of course, the coronary arteries. These important blood vessels supply the heart muscle with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to keep blood moving throughout the body.

The carotid artery in the neck can also become clogged. That can lead to strokes. The peripheral arteries in your legs are another plaque target. When either of these become clogged, clots can form and that's what does the damage.

There are two ways you are likely to find out you've got clogged arteries. Testing before a problem begins or when the problem strikes. Needless to say, your chances of survival are much greater if it's prior to a heart attack or stroke.

Ultrasound: Special ultrasound equipment can check for clogged arteries without the need for invasive procedures. This is best done for those at risk but asymptomatic. In a way, it's an arterial checkup. Ultrasounds may also be used after problems develop, but that would not be the only testing procedure used.

Stress Tests: These tests are usually done on a treadmill. The doctor will attach the wires to the appropriate areas of the body and ramp up the machine. This shows how your heart and blood vessels work under load. If you are unable to use a treadmill, a chemical stress test is also available.

Angiogram: This is an invasive test, but it is one that can find blockages missed by the other tests, and that can happen. An incision is made in the groin and a camera is sent up to the heart. Dye in the blood stream allows the doctor to explore all the arteries in the heart, checking for blockages. If any are found, angioplasty may be done. This is done with a balloon like object that gently opens the passages. Sometimes stents are added as well, to make sure the artery stays open.

If you have or are at risk for any sort of artery problem, it's a good idea to stay on top of it. Watch your diet, get plenty of exercise, but even that may not be enough. Get checkups regularly and make sure your doctor knows of your risk factors.

Original article

3 Symptoms That May Mean Clogged Arteries

Most of this is coming from experience. Not my own, but of someone I know. Finding the clogged arteries and dealing with them saved their lives, as the problem was found before it could cause major damage.

Burning Sensation: He'd been on a hike. It was a hot day, and he'd been running. Suddenly, there was a burning sensation near the center of his chest. It felt exactly like a sore throat from breathing too hard with an open mouth. It didn't go away, but it was the first symptom of what turned out to be clogged arteries.

Out of Breath: Walking from his car to his desk at work was an ordeal. He'd have to stop and catch his breath. He'd never had anything like that happen before. He found it difficult to walk up and down stairs. He'd have to sit on the edge of the bed and catch his breath before he could get to sleep. It was beginning to be frightening.

Fatigue: Mind numbing fatigue. Concentrating was hard. Sleep was hard...he wasn't sleepy, just exhausted. He would be too tired to watch television in the evening. Even eating seemed like a chore.

So, I would imagine you'd like to know the rest of the story, and there is one. While he wasn't inclined to go to the doctor, he went. The family doctor couldn't find anything wrong, but he has a family history of serious heart disease. For that reason, he was sent to a cardiologist.

The cardiologist couldn't find anything. However, there was that family history, and those three major symptoms. It was enough to have him scheduled for an angiogram. If you are unfamiliar with this test, they inject dye into your blood, then they run a camera from the groin up to the heart to check the coronary arteries.

Three were blocked. One 90%, one 96% and one about 88%. The cause of the burning pain was the one artery not clogged at all. It was carrying the load, and it hurt.

One angioplasty and three stents later, he was released from the hospital. Now he watches what he eats, exercises regularly and keeps alert for symptoms of further problems. So does everyone else in the family.

Usually, clogged arteries don't make themselves known until after something dire has occurred. We were very lucky. His heart was (and is) perfectly healthy. Now we just have to keep him that way.

Original article