Cardiac surgeries - which include treating blockages in the arteries of the heart - are among the surgeries that have contributed most to saving people's lives and helping their hearts to beat again. It is enough honor for cardiologists and chest doctors to be among the people of God Almighty's saying: {And whoever saves a life, it is as if he had saved the life of all mankind}.

The heart continuing to contract and relax means the continuation of life. With each contraction, blood flows to nourish the body’s organs with oxygen and nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and glucose. What if the efficiency of blood flow to the organs decreases?

About clogged arteries in the heart

Blood flows to and from the heart through what is called circulation. The heart muscle - like any muscle in the human body - needs the necessary nutrition to perform its functions. Do you know which arteries are responsible for feeding the heart muscle with oxygenated blood and nutrients?

They are the coronary arteries that are divided into two main types, namely the right coronary artery and the left coronary artery, and then each of them branches into several branches that work to feed the heart with oxygen-rich blood.

So what do we mean by clogged arteries in the heart?!

Does arterial stenosis develop into complete obstruction?

As time passes, these deposits continue to accumulate until the artery is completely blocked, cutting off the blood supply to the heart, which may lead to a heart attack and, God forbid, death. Therefore, blockages in the heart arteries must be treated early before the disease gets worse.

Is fat accumulation the only cause of clogged heart arteries?

In addition to the accumulation of fat inside the artery, the formation of blood clots is one of the most common causes of acute arterial blockage (i.e. a sudden blockage that does not develop over several stages, as is the case with arterial blockage resulting from the deposition of fatty substances).

The specialist doctor determines the cause of the blockage through diagnosis and examinations, and based on the results, he chooses the appropriate method for treating the blockage of the heart arteries.

Book your consultation now at Cardiovascular Center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.

Groups most at risk of heart blockage

We talked about the direct causes of infection Coronary artery obstruction It is the deposition of fat inside the coronary artery and the formation of clots. Are there risk factors that increase the incidence of blocked coronary arteries in a certain group of people and require treatment for blocked coronary arteries?!

Here are some risk factors associated with blockages in the coronary arteries in the heart:

• High blood pressure.
• Having a hereditary history of cardiovascular disease.
• Diabetes.
• Heavy smoking.
• Morbid obesity.
• Post-menopausal women.
• Older men (45 years or older).
• Race. The rates of heart blockages are higher in black people.
• High level of harmful cholesterol in the blood (LDL).
• Low level of beneficial cholesterol in the blood (HDL).

Let us explain the last two factors in some detail:

• Harmful cholesterol transports fats from the liver directly to the blood vessels, so its high level in the blood raises danger and increases the possibility of blockage of the heart arteries.
• While HDL (good) cholesterol transports fats to the liver to remove them from the bloodstream before they are deposited on the walls of the arteries, so if the level of good cholesterol decreases, the body will not efficiently get rid of the fatty deposits, which leads to their accumulation on the walls of the arteries.

We hope that we have been able to clarify the idea, and we advise any individual who has any of the previous risk factors to visit a specialist cardiologist to monitor his condition periodically to prevent arterial disease.

Read also: What are the symptoms of heart disease?

Symptoms of coronary artery blockage

Symptoms are the only warning that helps save the patient's life and require treatment of blockage of the heart arteries by referring to a cardiologist.

Symptoms of clogged heart arteries include:

• A feeling of general weakness.
• dizziness.
• Chest pain may extend to other areas of the body, such as: the arm, left shoulder, neck, and jaws.
• difficulty breathing.
• Heart rate disturbance.

Given that blockage of the coronary arteries causes heart attacks, the patient may feel difficulty or slurred speech, and he may also feel numbness or numbness on one side of the body. Here, one should immediately go to the emergency room to save the patient from the risks of a heart attack and treat the blockage of his heart arteries.

Symptoms of clogged arteries in women

انسداد الشرايين تعتبر حالة صحية خطيرة، تحدث عندما تتراكم اللويحات الدهنية بالشرايين، وهو ما يعمل على التقليل من تدفق الدم إلى القلب والأعضاء الأخرى، وبالرغم من أن تلك الحالة ترتبط بصورة كبيرة بالرجال، إلا أنها تصيب أيضًا النساء، ولكن الأعراض تكون مختلفة قليلًا، وتختلف أعراض انسداد الشراين عند النساء من امرأة إلى الأخرى، وقد لا تكون واضحة، وهو ما يجعل تشخيصها بالمراحل المبكرة أمرًا صعبًا، وتتمثل أعراض الانسداد في الشرايين عند النساء فيما يلي:

• Chest pain and a feeling of heaviness spreading to the back, neck, arms, or jaw.
• Shortness of breath.
• Feeling tired and exhausted when doing simple tasks.
• Dizziness and fainting, especially when standing up suddenly.
• Stomach pain, which is similar to indigestion.
• Excessive sweating, especially of the face.
• Nausea and vomiting accompanied by chest pain.
• Pain in the shoulder or arm, especially the left arm.

Also, the symptoms of blockage in the arteries in women differ from those in men due to female hormones, which affect the way atherosclerosis develops in the arteries.

Causes of blockage of the coronary arteries

The problem of clogged arteries is due to the accumulation of fatty plaques inside the arteries responsible for the heart muscle. This accumulation narrows the arteries and helps limit blood flow to the heart, which leads to a heart attack or even sudden death. The main causes of clogged arteries in the heart are due to the following:

• Atherosclerosis, or the accumulation of fatty plaques on the walls of the arteries. These plaques consist of cholesterol, fats, calcium, and blood cells.
• Genetic factors, as genes can increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
• Smoking and following an unhealthy diet that contains saturated fats and cholesterol.
• High blood pressure, which increases pressure on the walls of the arteries and accelerates the formation of plaques.
• An increase in the level of harmful cholesterol and a decrease in the level of good cholesterol helps in the accumulation of plaques and thus clogs the arteries.
• Diabetes also increases the risk of atherosclerosis through damage to blood vessels.
• الالتهاب المزمن في الشرايين يعمل على التسريع من تكوين اللويحات.
• Aging also increases the risk of atherosclerosis.

Read also: How long does it take to recover from open heart surgery?

Does clogged arteries cause death?

Arterial blockage can lead to death if treatment is not done in a timely manner. Arterial blockage, especially the arteries of the heart and brain, is a serious condition that occurs when fatty plaques block the arteries, which prevents the flow of blood containing oxygen to the rest of the vital organs, and thus death occurs.

The most prominent complication that leads to death is a heart attack. This occurs when an artery in the heart becomes permanently blocked, which leads to the death of part of the heart muscle, in addition to a stroke. It occurs when an artery in the brain becomes blocked, which leads to damage to the brain and loss of vital functions, in addition to the possibility of heart failure. This occurs as a result of the weakening of the heart muscle due to blockage of the arteries and the failure of the heart muscle to pump blood adequately.

The main factors that lead to clogged arteries are high cholesterol levels, obesity, smoking, and an unhealthy diet. Therefore, it is important to treat clogged arteries by changing lifestyle and following medical treatment to avoid serious complications, including death.

Are clogged arteries dangerous?

If the patient does not begin the treatment for blockage of the coronary arteries, he may be exposed to the following complications:

• Angina.
• Heart attack.
• Heart rhythm disorder.
• Sudden cardiac arrest, then death.
• Stroke: If the cause of the blocked arteries is a blood clot, the clot may travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

Therefore, people around the patient must immediately go to the specialist doctor to obtain an accurate diagnosis and treatment for blockage of the heart arteries before it is too late.

Diagnosing atherosclerosis (clogged arteries)

Atherosclerosis is a term that describes clogged arteries resulting from the deposit of cholesterol and lipids on the artery wall.

In order for doctors to be able to treat heart blockage in the correct way, it is necessary to accurately diagnose the patient’s condition by conducting some tests, including:

• Electrocardiogram (to check the efficiency of the heart rhythm).
• Ultrasound echocardiogram.
• ECG to evaluate the performance of the heart muscle during exertion.
• Cardiac catheterization (inserting a thin, flexible tube into the heart's arteries to evaluate their function and determine the amount and location of blockage in the artery).
• Blood tests to check factors affecting the health of the arteries,

Blood tests include:

• Analysis of cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
• In addition to analyzing the blood glucose level.
• In addition to analyzing hemoglobin A1C (one of the tests to detect diabetes).
• Lipoprotein A test.
• Analysis of C-reactive protein, which is a protein associated with arterial inflammation.

After the diagnosis phase is over, the doctor develops a treatment plan to begin implementing immediately.

Methods of treating blockage of the coronary arteries

There are many treatment strategies for treating blocked coronary arteries in the heart. The cardiothoracic consultant chooses the appropriate treatment method according to the patient’s condition. The doctor may recommend combining more than one treatment method, such as surgery, lifestyle changes, and medication.

Surgical treatment of blocked coronary arteries

Delicate surgical operations are performed to treat the problem using arterial catheterization or open-heart surgery. Methods of treating blockage of the heart arteries with surgery are divided into:

The process of widening the arteries with a stent

It is one of the methods of treating blockage of the heart arteries. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (known as a catheter) through one of the leg arteries - through a small opening - and then directs the catheter to the blocked area of ​​​​the artery, in order to:

• Inserting a balloon to expand the diameter of the artery and allow blood to flow to the heart easily.
• Installation of a stent (metal tube) to keep the artery wide and open.

The process of installing an arterial bypass (coronary artery bypass)

One method of treating blocked coronary arteries with surgery is to redirect blood to a new path away from the blocked area.

The surgeon designs this path by using parts of one of the body's healthy arteries to create an arterial connection, or new path, for blood.

The success rate of arterial occlusion surgery

Treating blocked coronary arteries with surgery is one of the most successful treatment methods to solve the problem of blocked coronary arteries in the heart. Its success rates are about 95%, and death rates are low after these operations, as they contribute to restoring the blood supply to the heart.

Treating clogged coronary arteries without surgery

It is possible to dispense with undergoing a heart surgery - whether by limited intervention or by thoracotomy - in cases of mild arterial blockage. For example, if there is a partial blockage or signs indicating that some fat has begun to accumulate on the arterial wall, then the development of arterial blockage can be reduced without surgery through:

• Follow a healthy diet free of fats and high calories.
• Stop smoking.
• Exercise.
• Control risk factors by treating diabetes and blood pressure diseases.

Treating blockage of the coronary arteries with catheterization

Catheterization is a common medical procedure that is used to diagnose and treat many cardiovascular problems, including clogged arteries. Catheterization is done by inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through an artery in the groin or wrist, directed to the heart. A dye is used to visualize the arteries and identify narrowed or blocked areas. Catheterization is used to treat clogged arteries by inserting a small balloon through the catheter into the narrowed area of the artery, and inflating the balloon to expand the artery. After widening the artery, a small stent, which is a metal mesh, is placed inside the artery.

Although catheterization is a safe procedure, there are a number of potential risks, which include bleeding at the site of the catheter insertion, damage to the blood vessels during the procedure, and a blood clot in the artery or at the site of the catheter insertion. There are rare risks such as a heart attack or stroke. Heart catheterization is considered based on the health condition, medical history, and severity of the blockage of the arteries.

Can clogged heart arteries be treated with medications?

The journey to treat arterial blockage may begin with the doctor prescribing some medications that help reduce the development of the disease and its symptoms, such as blood pressure-lowering medications, vasodilator medications, and cholesterol- and lipid-lowering medications.

Heart Center in Al-Mousa Hospital It includes an elite group of the largest consultants specializing in heart, thoracic and vascular surgeries, who rely on the latest medical technologies for diagnosis and treatment.

Factors that increase the occurrence of coronary artery blockage

There are many factors that increase blockage of the heart arteries, including the following: 

• Genetic factors: Heart disease and clogged arteries may be among the hereditary diseases in the family. 
• Inactivity and lack of physical activity. 
• Smoking and drinking alcohol. 
• Suffering from some chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Stress and severe nervous tension. 
• Obesity and wrong eating habits. 
• Aging and heart failure.

Is it possible to prevent coronary artery disease?

There are many important healthy habits that contribute to preventing heart blockages, including: 

Increase motor activity and exercise such as walking, swimming and yoga. 

If you are a smoker, you must quit smoking immediately. 

Maintain a healthy weight and get rid of obesity immediately. 

You should follow a healthy eating pattern, reduce the use of salt and saturated fats, and eat at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits. 

Controlling blood cholesterol levels.

If you suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure, you must keep their levels normal and take medications on time.

Stay away from stress, anxiety and stress.

 Frequently asked questions

Can clogged arteries be treated without surgery?

Blocked arteries can be treated without surgery in many cases, and treatment depends on a number of different factors, including:

• The stage of arterial blockage. In the early stages of blockage, the disease can be controlled either with drug treatment or lifestyle changes.
• Treatment also depends on the location of the blockage. Some blockages can be treated using a catheter without open surgery.
• Patient's age, comorbidities, and patient's response to drug treatment.

The most important ways to treat clogged arteries without surgery include following a healthy diet low in fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking.

Drug treatment is also used using cholesterol-lowering drugs that help reduce the accumulation of fatty plaques in the arteries, blood pressure-lowering drugs, which help reduce pressure on the arteries, and anticoagulants that prevent the formation of blood clots. Catheters are also used to expand the arteries, or a stent is placed. Surgery must be resorted to in the event of multiple blockages in the arteries and failure of drug treatment and catheterization.

Is clogged arteries a stroke?

In response to this question, clogged arteries do not necessarily mean the presence of a clot, and a clot can be one of the causes of clogged arteries. It should be noted that clogged arteries are a condition in which fatty deposits and cholesterol accumulate on the walls of the arteries, which narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow. These deposits also form over time and can lead to atherosclerosis. A clot is a mass consisting of coagulated blood, and a clot can completely or partially block an artery.

As for the symptoms of clogged arteries, they depend on the location of the blockage and the severity of the blockage, but some symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, pain in the legs when walking, general weakness, dizziness, and nausea.

In general, if you suspect that you are suffering from a clot or clogged arteries, it is important that you consult a doctor as soon as possible to diagnose and obtain the appropriate treatment for your condition before the problem increases and leads to unnecessary complications.

What is the success rate of arterial blockage surgery?

The success rate of arterial blockage surgery varies greatly from one case to another, and it depends on a number of different factors, including the type of procedure, whether using a catheter, a stent, or open-heart surgery, and the number of blocked arteries. The greater the number of blocked arteries, the more difficult the operation becomes, and the patient’s health condition, such as the presence of other diseases such as diabetes or high blood pressure, in addition to the surgeon’s skill and experience necessary in performing this type of operation.

In general, the success rate of arterial blockage and stent placement operations is very high, reaching at least 90%. Despite this, there is a possibility of complications such as blood clotting, where a blood clot can form inside the stent or artery, and bleeding can occur at the site of insertion of the catheter, or rupture of the artery, as the balloon used to expand the artery can cause it to rupture. As for open-heart surgery, the success rate of the operation is high, but it may be slightly lower than catheterization operations.

Can obstructive heart disease be cured?

Arterial blockage is the accumulation of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries, which narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow. Because the tissues damaged by the deposits are unable to fully regenerate, there are a number of effective methods in treating blockage of the heart arteries, including following a healthy diet low in fat and cholesterol, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking. Treatment can also be done using medications, or through medical procedures such as catheterization and surgery.

What are the signs of clogged heart arteries?

There are many signs that indicate blockage of the heart arteries, but you must know that they do not appear clear at first, especially in cases of partial blockage, and among these signs are the following: 

Having shortness of breath. 

Feeling severe pain and heaviness in the chest, which increases with effort or emotional stress. 

Heart attacks.

Is heart blockage dangerous?

Heart blockage surgery is one of the most successful heart procedures, but there are some risks associated with the operation, including: 

Collapse or blockage of the artery occurs again.

Bleeding in blood vessels.

Having an allergic reaction to the dye used. 

Formation of blood clots inside the stent. 

Kidney damage, especially in the elderly or patients with kidney failure.

Airway obstruction and death.

How long does a person live after a heart catheterization?

A person can work normally after undergoing a heart catheterization procedure, and live a normal life based on age, heart efficiency, and whether or not he suffers from other diseases. However, doctors have indicated that a person can live for more than ten years without complications.

It should be noted that obstructive heart disease is chronic and cannot be completely cured, but it can be controlled and its complications reduced. These procedures do not completely cure the disease, but they help slow the progression of the disease and reduce the risk of serious complications, including heart attacks or strokes. In some advanced cases, surgery may be necessary to get rid of the blockage or reset blood circulation, but this does not help in complete recovery from the disease.