Atherosclerosis Symptoms and Signs

What are common atherosclerosis symptoms?

Usually, atherosclerosis does not manifest obvious symptoms until the condition is relatively advanced. This makes it a silent killer of sorts, and is certainly bad news for persons who are at high risk of getting this disease but do not seem to be making any efforts to alter their dietary and lifestyle habits. Typically, the symptoms of this ailment develop gradually with the progression of the disease.

Atherosclerosis is a condition whereby the walls or linings of blood vessels in the body thicken. This is also commonly referred to as "hardening" of the arteries. As the condition progresses, blood flow becomes increasingly restricted. Further, the walls of the blood vessels also become weaker and weaker.

In its early stages, atherosclerosis symptoms do not really show up. Blood, after all, continues to flow as needed. However, as the blockage becomes sufficiently advanced, said to be at least about 75%, one begins to experience noticeable pain and discomfort.

If the arteries which bring blood to the lower extremities or legs are affected by atherosclerosis, then one could experience a condition which is termed intermittent claudication, whereby one gets leg cramps or leg pain after physical exertions. It is possible that such discomfort is felt even after only walking a short distance.

If the arteries which bring blood to the heart are affected, then angina, or chest pains, would result. This is a pretty late stage atherosclerosis symptom and one who suffers it should really take note and urgently make changes to his or her dietary and lifestyle habits.

As atherosclerosis progresses, it is almost inevitable that a heart attack or stroke would be impending, and one would certainly not want to wait to that stage to make the necessary alterations to one's diet and lifestyle.

For more information on atherosclerosis, including suggestions on how to prevent and even reverse the condition, do read the other related atherosclerosis pages.

Click here for natural, herbal and homeopathic remedies for dealing with hardening of the arteries.

Click here for more pages and articles on Atherosclerosis.

Some Related Atherosclerosis Pages
What is Atherosclerosis?
Causes of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis Symptoms and Signs
Prevention of Atherosclerosis
Anti Atherosclerosis Diet and Lifestyle - Useful Foods, Nutrition and Habits
Reversing Atherosclerosis - Helpful Herbs and Herbal Remedies
Supplements Which Help Reverse Atherosclerosis