Coronary artery disease (CAD) develops when plaque and fatty deposits accumulate in the coronary arteries, narrowing the vessels and reducing blood flow to the heart. This forces the heart to work harder. Recognizing the warning signs of CAD is crucial, as the condition can lead to a heart attack.

Chest discomfort is one of the most common manifestations of CAD. Individuals often describe a sensation of pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest, as if a heavy object is pressing down. This discomfort typically occurs in the center or left side of the chest and can be triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, or a heavy meal. Persistent, recurrent, or severe chest pain warrants immediate medical attention.

In some cases, the pain may extend to the shoulder, arm, neck, jaw, or back. Beyond chest pain, other accompanying symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, and dizziness. These additional signs indicate reduced blood flow to the heart.

Shortness of breath after minimal activity, or even at rest, often signals underlying cardiovascular issues. When the heart struggles to pump blood effectively, the supply of oxygen to the body's tissues diminishes, leading to a feeling of breathlessness.

This symptom can appear suddenly, sometimes accompanied by sweating, anxiety, and fatigue. Many individuals mistakenly attribute this condition to old age or a sedentary lifestyle. However, in numerous instances, it can be a sign of heart failure, coronary artery disease, or an arrhythmia.

Pain radiating beyond the chest is another important symptom. Heart pain is not always confined to the chest area. Discomfort can sometimes spread to the arms, shoulders, back, neck, jaw, or upper abdomen. This phenomenon, known as referred pain, occurs because the nerves transmitting pain signals from the heart overlap with those from other body regions, making the pain easy to confuse with muscle strain or indigestion.

Gastrointestinal discomforts such as nausea, indigestion, heartburn, and abdominal pain are frequently mistaken for digestive disorders. However, these symptoms can also be linked to heart disease, potentially causing CAD to be overlooked. If these symptoms appear alongside chest tightness or shortness of breath, it is advisable to seek prompt medical evaluation.

Sore throat and jaw pain are less typical indicators of heart problems. Nevertheless, if discomfort in these areas is accompanied by chest tightness, it could signify angina or even a heart attack. The pain often radiates from the chest upwards to the throat, jaw, or teeth.

By Le Nguyen (According to Times of India)