Signs You Have Heart Disease Because of Cholesterol—Eat This, Not That
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in America, and coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. “CAD occurs when the coronary arteries struggle to supply the heart with enough blood, oxygen, and nutrients,” Stephen Kopecky, MD says, “Cholesterol deposits, or plaques, are almost always to blame. These buildups narrow your arteries, reducing blood flow to your heart. CAD usually takes a long time to develop. Often, patients with It may not be known if they have this problem. But there are ways to prevent coronary artery disease, and there are ways to know if you are at risk and there are ways to treat it.” Here are five signs of heart disease caused by cholesterol, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t forget to check out these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID,
“Heart problems show up differently in men than in women,” Charles Julian Lowenstein, MD says, “While men are more likely to have chest pain and discomfort as the main symptoms of a heart attack, heart attacks in women can cause pain in other areas such as the back, neck, jaw or abdomen, as well as shortness of breath. May cause shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and sudden tiredness.”
Doctors say that chest pain is a common symptom of heart disease. “When the coronary arteries narrow, the heart doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood,” Dr. Kopecki says. “Remember, unlike most pumps, the heart has to pump up its energy supply. It’s working harder with less. And you may start to notice these signs and symptoms of pressure or tightness in your chest. This pain is called angina. It may feel as if someone is standing on your chest.”
A feeling of numbness in the arms or legs can be a cause for concern. “The main contributors to plaque build-up are fat and cholesterol,” says Michelle Castillo, MD, “Eventually, the plaque will break off and completely block blood flow. In the heart, this creates a heart attack. When it occurs in the extremities, it can cause pain and numbness in the legs and feet.” . It can also lead to amputation of parts of the feet.”
Unexplained pain can be a sign of heart disease. “Pain or cramping in the legs and feet, even when walking short distances,” says Dr. Castillo, “In the early stages, it usually goes away on rest and then comes back with activity. If the pain persists even at rest, it can become more advanced.”
“When your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs, you can develop shortness of breath or extreme fatigue during activities,” Dr. Kopecki says, “And if an artery becomes completely blocked, it’s a heart attack. Classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include cramping, chest pain, pain in your shoulders or arms, shortness of breath, and sweating. However, many heart attacks have minimal or no symptoms and are found later during routine testing.”
If you experience any symptoms of heart disease or a heart attack, don’t hesitate to contact a doctor and get help. “For some heart problems, every minute counts,” Dr. Lowenstein says, “Blocked blood flow to the heart or an abnormal heartbeat requires immediate attention. A heart attack can cause permanent damage to the heart muscle within 30 minutes. Delaying help could mean that you can end up with a more serious problem that could result in a hospital stay – or even death. Even if you’re not sure you have a heart problem, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 911 Call or go to the hospital where the doctor can examine you and treat you immediately.”
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Firozan Mast is a science, health and wellness writer with a passion for making science and research-backed information accessible to a general audience. Read more about Turquoise
