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The Silent Signs of Arterial Blockages You Can’t Ignore
8. Swollen legs or ankles
When the heart can’t pump properly, blood may pool in your lower body, causing swelling. This can be uncomfortable and worsen over time. It’s also often linked with fatigue and breathlessness.
9. Changes in skin color or temperature
Cold, pale, or bluish hands and feet mean poor circulation. This occurs because your body redirects blood to core organs when resources are low. It’s a strong sign of PAD and signals overall artery disease.
Understanding these symptoms helps you take action early and protect your heart health.
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Discomfort while walking, often felt as cramping or heaviness in the legs, is a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD). This happens when leg arteries are narrowed and can’t supply enough oxygen during activity.
The pain typically subsides with rest but may worsen over time. The specific location of the pain—calves, thighs, or buttocks—can reveal where the blockage is. PAD is also a sign of widespread atherosclerosis, including in the heart and brain.
5. Sudden sweating or nausea
Unexpected sweating, even without physical exertion, can indicate heart stress. When oxygen is lacking, your nervous system may release adrenaline, leading to a cold sweat and rapid heartbeat.
Your body may also pull blood from the digestive system, causing nausea or vomiting. While these symptoms are easy to mistake for stomach issues, they become more serious when paired with chest discomfort or breathlessness.
6. Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
A fluttering or racing heart can mean the heart isn’t getting enough oxygen. This may disturb the heart’s rhythm, causing arrhythmias.
If these irregular beats persist or come with other symptoms like fatigue or pain, they should be assessed immediately.
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