What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease?

You may have coronary artery disease (CAD) and not even know it. After all, it’s the most common type of heart disease in the U.S. Coronary artery disease happens when your coronary arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood to your heart, narrow or become blocked.

Coronary artery disease is caused when a fatty substance called plaque builds up in your coronary arteries. The plaque buildup can lead to artery narrowing and eventual stiffening, which restricts blood flow to your heart. Thankfully, some lifestyle changes and medications can help you delay or prevent heart disease. At Aurora Health Care, our cardiologists provide full-spectrum care to prevent or treat coronary artery disease.

Early signs of coronary artery disease

Many people don’t have any coronary artery disease symptoms at first. But as plaque buildup worsens, you may experience:

• Chest pain (angina)
• Heart palpitations, which may feel like a racing or pounding heartbeat
• Shortness of breath, especially when you exert yourself

Sometimes, the first sign of coronary artery disease is a heart attack. In fact, coronary artery disease is one of the most common causes of heart attacks. A heart attack is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If you think you’re having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

Common heart attack symptoms

A heart attack is a sudden blockage of blood supply to your heart. It’s important to recognize the signs of a heart attack so you know when to call for emergency help for yourself or a loved one.

Heart attack symptoms can vary, but the most common symptoms include:

• Chest pain, especially on the left side or center of your chest
• Discomfort that radiates from your chest through your shoulders or arms
• Jaw, neck or back pain
• Feelings of fullness, pressure or squeezing in your chest
• Shortness of breath, even at rest
• Weakness or lightheadedness

Signs of a heart attack in women

While women may also experience chest pain with a heart attack, they are more likely than men to experience subtler heart attack symptoms. These include:

• Anxiety
• Back pain
• Difficulty sleeping
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Severe fatigue

Because these symptoms may be less sudden or specific, many women delay seeking treatment for a heart attack. But the sooner you get treatment for a heart attack, the less damage your heart muscle sustains. If you experience any heart attack symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.

Common coronary artery disease symptoms

The symptoms of coronary artery disease can vary from person to person, but many people experience:

• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Heart arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms)
• Heart palpitations
• Indigestion
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the feet or hands

Coronary artery disease symptoms can also vary between men and women. Like heart attacks, coronary artery disease symptoms in women may be more subtle than in men. Women are more likely to experience jaw pain, shortness of breath or burning sensations in their chest.

What to do if you experience these coronary artery disease symptoms

The sooner you receive treatment for coronary artery disease, the better your chances of decreasing or even reversing symptoms. Know what to do for these red flag signs of coronary artery disease:

Seek emergency treatment

You should call 911 or seek emergency care for:

• Chest pain: Chest pain doesn’t always mean you have a heart problem. But it is one of the primary symptoms of a heart attack, so you should always seek emergency care if you experience chest pain. Call 911 if you experience left-sided chest pain, especially along with other heart attack symptoms such as shortness of breath or arm pain.
• Heart palpitations: Many people experience heart palpitations, and they often aren’t an emergency. But if you experience heart palpitations along with other heart attack symptoms, call 911 immediately. If you have other signs of coronary artery disease along with heart palpitations, speak with your health care provider. You may need a heart scan to check for coronary artery disease.

Speak with your health care provider about coronary artery disease

Some symptoms, though serious, may not need emergency treatment. You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:

• Abnormal heart rhythms: Like heart palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms don’t always point to coronary artery disease, but they can. If you experience any arrhythmia symptoms, such as a fluttering or racing heartbeat, call your health care provider. You may need a heart scan to check for coronary artery disease or other heart conditions.
• Fatigue: Many conditions can cause extreme fatigue, including coronary artery disease. If you have trouble completing your daily activities or feel more tired than usual, call your health care provider. You may benefit from a health screening to diagnose or rule out coronary artery disease.
• Swelling of the hands and feet: Swollen hands and feet are one of the most common signs of coronary artery disease. If you experience fluid buildup and swelling, call your health care provider. You may need diagnostic tests to find the root cause of the swelling.

When to schedule a heart scan

Knowing your risk factors for heart disease can help you lower your chances of developing it. If you have several risk factors, you may need a heart scan to check your coronary arteries.

If you have multiple risk factors for coronary artery disease, you may need a heart scan. A heart scan is a quick, inexpensive test to check for signs of coronary artery disease. It’s simple and noninvasive – and it could even be lifesaving.

Learn more about our $49 heart scans