Common symptoms of atherosclerosis
Symptoms of this condition usually do not appear until the plaque buildup is significant enough to impair seriously blood flow. When this happens, you may notice that [2]:
- Experience chest pain, which may sometimes radiate to your arms, back, and neck. This a sign that the arteries of your heart are affected.
- Feel fatigued
- Suffer from shortness of breath and tire easily
- Experience pain in body parts where plaques have blocked an artery, such as your legs. Atherosclerosis in your legs often causes symptoms of peripheral artery disease. It may cause your leg muscles to feel weak due to the lack of adequate oxygenated blood.
- Feel confused. This occurs when blood flow in your brain is impaired.
The specific symptoms you have typically depend on which arteries are affected by the buildup. In more advanced cases of atherosclerosis, the symptoms may indicate something more sinister, such as the onset of a heart attack or a stroke.