If you have a narrow coronary artery or your arteries can not supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart, especially when the condition is associated with a severe heartbeat, especially during exercise.
At first, low blood flow due to coronary artery disease may not lead to any symptoms. However, as plaque builds up in your coronary arteries, signs of coronary artery disease and symptoms may begin to appear, including:
Chest pain (angina): You may feel pressure or tightness in your chest, as if there are people standing on your chest. It usually causes pain, referred to as angina, through physical or emotional stress. Symptoms usually go away within minutes after stopping the activity that caused the stress. In some people, especially women, this pain may be acute or transient and associated with pain in the abdomen, back or arm.
Shortness of breath: If your heart can not pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you may feel shortness of breath or fatigue due to any effort.
Heart attack: Coronary artery blockage may cause a heart attack. Typical signs and symptoms of heart attack include compression in your chest and shoulder or arm pain, sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath and sweating. Somewhat women are more likely than men to experience signs and symptoms of a less typical heart attack, such as nausea, back pain or jaw loss. Sometimes a heart attack occurs without any obvious signs or symptoms.
When to see your doctor:
If you suspect you have a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If you do not have access to emergency medical services, make someone take you to the nearest hospital.
If you have risk factors for coronary artery disease. Such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, tobacco use, diabetes or obesity - you should talk to your doctor. The doctor may want to do some tests to be sure of your health, especially if you have signs or symptoms of narrowing the arteries. Even if there is no evidence of coronary artery disease, your doctor may recommend that you stay away from risk factors such as smoking. Just as early diagnosis and treatment may stop progression of coronary artery disease and help prevent heart attacks.