Have you ever felt chest tightness, as if something is pressing down during physical activity, or felt unusually short of breath? These aren’t ordinary symptoms — they may be warning signs of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), caused by the narrowing of blood vessels supplying the heart muscle.
Why Do Coronary Arteries Narrow?
Think of your coronary arteries like water pipes that gradually build up deposits over time. In the body, this buildup is called plaque – fatty deposits that accumulate along the inner walls of blood vessels. Over time, plaque thickens and hardens, narrowing the arteries and reducing blood flow to the heart.
If plaque ruptures, it can cause a sudden blood clot — triggering a life-threatening heart attack.
Who Is at Risk?
Risk factors fall into two categories — those you can control, and those you can’t.
- Controllable (act now) Controllable — act now: High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and smoking
- Uncontrollable — stay vigilant: Getting older (men over 45, women over 55) or having a family history of heart disease
What Are the Warning Signs?
Never ignore chest discomfort that feels like:
- A heavy pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest
- Pain radiating to the jaw, shoulder, or left arm
- Symptoms triggered by exertion or stress that improve with rest
Diabetic patients may not experience obvious chest pain — unusual fatigue may be the only sign. Pay close attention.
3 Tips to Reset Your Heart Health
- Eat smart — Avoid salty, sweet, and fatty foods such as fried foods, coconut milk, and processed snacks. Focus on vegetables, fruits, and high-fiber grains.
- Stay active — Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (running, brisk walking, cycling, or swimming) 5 days a week (minimum 150 minutes/week).
- Quit smoking — completely.
Coronary Artery Disease is closer than you think — but it’s preventable. Annual health check-ups to monitor cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure can help detect and address risks before it’s too late.
“You only have one heart. Protect it today — before it’s too late.”
