Coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease is a heart health issue where the blood flow into heart muscles is impeded. The blood flow obstruction is due to the formation of plaques in the blood-supplying (coronary) arteries of the heart. Coronary Heart Disease is one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity due to non-infectious disease on a global scale.
What are the Symptoms of Coronary Heart Disease?
The narrowing of coronary arteries due to the deposition of cholesterol and some other substances results in inadequate blood supply to heart muscles. The symptoms of coronary heart disease might vary from mild to moderate and severe depending upon the type of coronary artery disease. The indications would be mild in case an individual is experiencing stable ischemic heart disease where the blood flow is obstructed gradually over many years. However, the symptom is often severe if the individual has an acute coronary syndrome where sudden rupture of plaque in the arteries leads to blockage of blood flow.
The following are common coronary artery disease symptoms:
- Chest pain is the most common symptom that can arise intermittently or during physical activity.
- Intermittent pain in the jaw that could be mild to moderate
- Intermittent neck pain
- Intermittent shoulder pain
- Left arm and back pain
- Angina or pain while raising left hand
- Shortness of breath or dyspnea that occurs with the tightness of the chest
- Suffocation, particularly after heavy physical activity.
- Body pain and weakness
- Feeling of faintness also known as lightheadedness.
- Nausea and symptoms of stomach sickness
- Palpitation or increased heartbeat that feels like pounding or flip-flop
- Tachypnoea which refers to rapid and shallow breathing