artery complications awareness

Overview

Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. When artery walls become damaged, narrowed, or blocked, blood flow can be reduced—or in serious cases, stopped completely. Arterial complications include a range of problems, such as a build-up of fatty plaque (atherosclerosis), a bulging weak spot in an artery wall (aneurysm), or a blood clot that blocks blood flow.

Yes. Artery disease is very common, especially as people get older. In many countries, it is the leading cause of heart attack and stroke.

It can affect anyone, but it is much more common in people who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or who smoke. The risk increases with age and if you have a family history of heart or blood vessel disease.

Symptoms

Common symptoms

• Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the chest that may feel like indigestion
• Shortness of breath during light activity or at rest
• Numbness, coldness, or pain in the legs while walking
• Sudden weakness or tingling on one side of the face or body
• Dizziness or fainting spells

Symptoms in children

• Artery complications are rare in children, but some may have heart conditions present from birth (congenital heart disease).
• Signs can include poor feeding, failure to gain weight, or blue-tinted lips or skin.
• Fainting or chest pain with exercise may also occur in rare cases.

Symptoms in older adults

• Older adults may have less typical symptoms, like confusion, extreme fatigue, or shortness of breath.
• Leg pain when walking—that goes away with rest—can be an early sign of peripheral artery disease.
• A sudden severe headache or vision change could signal a rapidly progressing artery problem.

Causes

Main causes

• Atherosclerosis – a build-up of fatty plaque inside the artery wall
• High blood pressure – which puts stress on artery walls and leads to damage
• High cholesterol – which contributes to plaque build-up
• Smoking – which irritates the artery lining and encourages clot formation
• Diabetes – which can damage blood vessels over time
• Blood clots – which can break loose and block a smaller artery

Risk factors

• Age (risk increases after 50 for men and after 60 for women)
• Family history of heart disease, stroke, or aneurysm
• High blood pressure
• High LDL ('bad') cholesterol
• Low HDL ('good') cholesterol
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Smoking or second-hand smoke exposure
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity or overweight
• Unhealthy diet high in saturated fat, salt, and sugar
• Stress and excessive alcohol consumption

When to see a doctor

See a doctor urgently if:

• Any new chest pain, especially with risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking
• Leg pain that does not go away after walking short distances
• An abnormal sensation of pulsation or a 'thumping' in your belly

Book a routine appointment if:

• Schedule a check-up to measure your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar if you have risk factors
• Talk to your doctor about your family history and ask what screening is appropriate for your age

Diagnosis

Your doctor will start by asking about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. Then they may perform a physical exam—listening to your heart, checking pulses in your legs, and measuring blood pressure in different limbs. Depending on what they find, they may order one or more painless imaging tests to look inside your arteries.

Tests that may be done

• Blood pressure check – high readings are a red flag for artery damage
• Cholesterol and blood sugar blood tests
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) – records the electrical activity of your heart
• Echocardiogram – uses sound waves to look at heart structure and blood flow
• Doppler ultrasound – checks the blood flow in your neck, arms, or legs
• Computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) – detailed images of blood vessels
• Ankle-brachial index (ABI) – compares blood pressure in your ankle and arm to detect blockages in the legs

What to expect at your appointment

Most tests are painless and take less than an hour. Some require fasting (usually for blood tests). You can return to normal activities immediately after the majority of these tests. Results typically come back in days, and your doctor will discuss them with you and explain next steps.

Treatment

Treatment for artery complications depends on which artery is affected and how severe the problem is. The overall goal is the same: relieve symptoms, prevent the condition from worsening, and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or aneurysm rupture. For most people, treatment starts with heart-healthy habits and may include medication to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, or procedures to restore blood flow.

Self-care at home

• Quit smoking and avoid tobacco smoke
• Follow a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat, salt, and added sugar
• Stay physically active with activities like walking or cycling (as your doctor advises)
• Take any prescribed medicine exactly as directed—do not stop without talking to your doctor
• Learn to recognize warning symptoms like chest pain, leg pain, or sudden severe headache
• Keep follow-up appointments to monitor your condition

Medical treatments

Doctors may prescribe medications to help lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, prevent blood clots, or control blood sugar if you have diabetes. These are not cure-alls, but they work together with lifestyle changes to protect your arteries. Never start, stop, or change a medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

When is surgery considered?

If an artery is severely narrowed or an aneurysm is large, a doctor may recommend a procedure such as angioplasty and stenting (opening a narrowed artery with a small balloon and inserting a wire-mesh tube) or bypass surgery (creating a new route for blood flow around a blocked section). The choice is individualised to your anatomy, age, and overall health.

Living with this condition

Living with artery disease means making heart health part of every day. Take your medicines as prescribed, get regular check-ups, and keep an eye out for any new or changing symptoms. You can still enjoy a good quality of life—many people feel better after they make changes, because their circulation improves.

Lifestyle tips

• Build a daily routine that includes enough sleep—aim for 7 to 9 hours
• Use stress-reduction techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or talking with friends
• Limit alcohol, avoid smoking, and avoid sitting for long periods
• Carry a list of your medicines and share it with your healthcare team

Diet and exercise

A heart-friendly diet includes colourful vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, fish, and lean poultry, while limiting red meat, fried foods, salt, and sugary snacks. For exercise, aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity over 5 days per week, such as brisk walking or cycling. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise programme if you already have symptoms.

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

It is common to feel anxious, sad, or overwhelmed after being diagnosed with an artery problem. People often worry about having a heart attack or stroke. These feelings are real and important. Tell your healthcare team how you are feeling—they can direct you to a counsellor, psychologist, or support group. Connecting with others who share a similar experience can help a lot.

Prevention

In many cases, yes. Even if you already have some artery disease, you can slow it down or stop it from progressing by controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar, eating a balanced diet, staying active, quitting smoking, and managing stress. Prevention is always easier and safer than emergency treatment.

Vaccines

No vaccine directly prevents artery disease, but staying up to date on flu and pneumonia vaccines is especially important for people with cardiovascular conditions—talk to your nurse or pharmacist.

Screening programmes

Adults should have their blood pressure checked regularly—at least every 2 years—and have cholesterol checked starting in adulthood. If you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who had heart disease before age 55 or stroke before age 65, ask your doctor about earlier or more frequent screening.

Complications

If left untreated

• Heart attack – a blocked artery can damage heart muscle
• Stroke – a blocked artery to the brain can cause permanent brain damage
• Aneurysm rupture – a bulging artery that bursts leads to life-threatening internal bleeding
• Peripheral artery disease progression – can cause leg pain, ulcers, tissue death, and possible limb amputation
• Kidney failure – narrowed arteries to the kidneys can impair their function
• Vision loss – a blocked artery in the eye can lead to sudden blindness

Long-term outlook

With early detection and the right treatment, many artery problems are manageable. People with controlled risk factors often live long, active, and fulfilling lives. It may take time and commitment, but every healthy choice you make lowers your risk and improves your outlook.

Find support

International organisations

• American Heart Association ↗
• World Heart Federation ↗

Local organisations

• British Heart Foundation ↗ · United Kingdom

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