Symptoms of CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

Early stages of coronary artery disease usually have not produced sufficient narrowing of the blood vessels to produce symptoms. As the disease progresses, however, angina pectoris may develop. In this situation, exercise, and the need to provide more oxygen and nutrients to the heart, provoke chest pain. The chest pain is relieved by rest. This type of pain may radiate into the jaw, the teeth, the shoulder, neck and abdomen. There may be a tightness or pressure in the chest. The symptoms are very similar to that of a heart attack. The only difference is that they gradually subside when the demands of the heart have decreased and adequate blood arrives. Coronary artery disease can also lead to heart attacks. Here, the diseased arteries may form clots or the arterial wall may split apart. There is sudden termination of blood supply to a portion of the heart muscle. Symptoms similar to angina develop. However, the symptoms are often more severe or persist despite rest. In this setting, there may also be shortness of breath, rapid or irregular heart beats, pallor and sweating.