How to Check Heart Blockage At Home?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) results in heart blockage, a major health concern worldwide, with a death rate of 371,506 people. CAD occurs when plaque, composed of cholesterol and other substances, builds up in the coronary arteries, leading to their narrowing or blockage.  This restricts blood flow to the heart muscle, which can result in serious complications such as chest pain (angina) and heart attacks due to insufficient oxygen supply. 

Various tests can be performed from the comfort of your home to determine your current heart health. With different options of wearable devices and advanced applications, you can measure heart rate, take regular blood pressure readings, and perform the stair test. Any changes in these key indicators can identify heart problems early on and help you understand when to consult a doctor.

This guide will explain how to check heart blockage at home by monitoring heart health and identifying potential reasons for heart blockage.

What is a Heart Blockage?

Heart blockage occurs when plaque buildup narrows or blocks the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. Plaque is composed of fat and cholesterol, along with other substances such as calcium, cellular waste products, and fibrin. 

This buildup can lower heart blood flow, resulting in symptoms like fatigue, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and angina. In severe cases, it can even lead to cardiac arrest or heart attack. 

Heart Blockage Symptoms

Heart blocks can range from minor to severe, depending on how frequently the electrical signal gets through. People with first-degree heart block may not experience any symptoms. The symptoms of third-degree heart block are more severe because of the decreased heart rate. Heart blockage symptoms can vary according to the degree of severity of the heart blockage and may include:

• Chest Pain or Discomfort

One of the most common symptoms of a heart blockage is chest pain or discomfort, known as angina. It is characterised by squeezing, pressure, and tightness in the chest.

• Shortness of Breath

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, particularly during physical activity or while lying down, may indicate a heart blockage. This happens because the heart isn't pumping blood effectively and causing fluid buildup in the lungs.

• Fatigue

Unusual or unexplained fatigue may be a sign of heart disease. If you find yourself becoming fatigued easily or having trouble with everyday activities that you normally carry out, it might be a warning sign.

• Irregular Heartbeat

Another possible reason for heart blockage may be an irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmia. If you discover your heart skipping beats, beating too quickly, or pounding, you should monitor it and seek medical attention.

• Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, And Feet

Swelling in the lower part of the body can occur when the heart does not pump blood properly, which leads to fluid retention. This symptom, known as edema, is commonly seen in heart failure but can also be caused by coronary artery disease.

How to Check Heart Blockage at Home Effectively?

Your doctor may suggest you monitor your heart health at home if you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

Heart blockages and other heart-related diseases cannot be self-diagnosed. However, there are several ways to monitor your heart health and update your doctor immediately if there are any changes. Let’s look at how to check heart health at home:

Monitor Your Heart Rate

Monitoring your pulse will assist you in detecting irregularities in your heart rate. You can also use wearable devices, such as a heart rate tracker. These devices employ electrical detection to monitor your heart rate. Here's how to check your pulse at home:

• Look for a quiet place to sit or lie down.
• Press lightly with the tips of your index and middle fingers on the artery in your wrist (radial pulse) or on either side of your neck (carotid pulse).
• To calculate beats per minute (BPM), count the number of beats in 30 seconds and multiply by two.

The target heart rate is typically represented as a percentage (usually between 50 and 85%) of your maximum healthy heart rate. The maximum rate is calculated by subtracting your age from 220. Therefore, a 50-year-old's maximal heart rate is 220 minus 50, or 170 beats/minute.

Track Your Blood Pressure

Your healthcare team can help you determine how to measure your blood pressure at home and which type of blood pressure monitor to purchase.

A healthy blood pressure range is typically less than 120/80 mm Hg. However, this range varies according to gender, age, weight, medications, and overall health.

Take the Stair Test

The ability to walk up a flight of stairs quickly and easily is another indicator of how well your heart is working. 

A study suggests that the ability to climb about four flights of stairs in 90 seconds or less indicates a healthy heart. This will be approximately 60 stairs.

Check Your Weight

Always monitor your body weight, as obesity increases your chance of developing diabetes and high blood pressure, which can lead to heart disease. To maintain a healthy heart, keep your BMI between 18 and 24.9. Maintaining a healthy heart requires managing your weight.

Record CRP levels

Heart patients should always monitor their CRP level, as high values of more than 3 mg/dl might indicate inflammation associated with cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, patients should be aware of how dangerous CRP levels are and how to reduce them. This will help them maintain their cardiac health and prevent any complications. 

Lifestyle and  Home Remedies for Heart Blockage

Heart blockage treatment aims to reduce heart attack symptoms, prevent complications, and improve heart function. If you have a heart disease, you should seek help from various home remedies for heart blockage.

• Maintain a Healthy Diet

A low-saturated fat, high-fibre, plant-based diet can significantly minimise the chance of developing coronary artery disease. This includes a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, superfoods, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Following a personalised diet chart for heart patients lowers blood cholesterol while maintaining optimal blood pressure levels. 

• Exercise Regularly

Engaging in regular physical activity enhances cardiovascular health and strengthens the heart. Aim for 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise, such as running, heavy yard work, swimming, or aerobic dancing. Or at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, such as running, jumping, biking, tennis, etc.

• Quit Smoking and Limit Alcohol

Smoking damages the blood arteries, reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, and causes the heart to beat faster. All of these may worsen heart disease.  Therefore, get help to quit if you smoke. Similarly, excessive consumption of alcohol can harm your heart by raising blood pressure. Therefore, alcohol consumption should be reduced or avoided.

• Stress Management

Studies have shown that long-term stress can raise blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure levels, which can affect the overall health of your heart. To reduce stress, engage in stress-reduction practices like yoga, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, or enjoyable hobbies. Managing stress involves both habits and choices. While yoga and meditation help, some also consider natural supplements as supportive tools, such as Zen Mode Capsules. This is a high-quality, plant-based formula crafted to support calm and focus. Buy it here.

Monitor your Heart Health Regularly with Aware!

Heart blockage poses serious health risks, but it can be managed by learning how to check heart blockage at home. Looking for prompt medical attention, making healthy choices, and addressing risk factors are all essential for avoiding complications related to heart blockage. Regular monitoring of cardiac health is necessary for early detection and successful management.

Choose Aware and track your heart health. With our proprietary heart score tracker, you can monitor your heart rate at every step. Connect your smartwatch to track your heart's health. 

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FAQ

1. Can ECG detect heart blockage?

No, an electrocardiogram (ECG) does not directly detect heart blockages. It basically measures the electrical activity of your heart. Other procedures, such as angiograms or coronary angiography, observe the blood vessels around the heart to discover blockages.

2. Can heart blockage be reversed?

Coronary artery disease is caused by the buildup of cholesterol-laden plaque within the arteries that provide blood to the heart. While it cannot be totally reversed, medication and lifestyle changes can slow down its progression.

3. How to detect heart blockage?

A CT coronary angiography can detect plaque buildup and artery blockages, which can result in a heart attack. Before the test, a contrast dye is injected into the arm to highlight the arteries. The test usually takes 30 minutes to be completed.

4. What causes heart blockage?

Increased LDL or bad cholesterol levels raise the risk of heart blockage and related complications. Heart blockage happens when fat, cholesterol and other chemicals accumulate in the walls of the arteries. These deposits are known as plaques. Over time, these plaques may narrow or totally block the arteries, which can result in chest pain, shortness of breath, or even a heart attack.

5. How to prevent heart blockage?

There are various ways to reduce your risk of getting coronary heart disease (CHD), such as reducing your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Follow the given tips to prevent heart blockage:

• A low-fat, high-fibre diet is recommended, with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables (5 pieces per day) and whole grains.
• The most effective strategy for maintaining a healthy weight is to eat a nutritious diet and exercise regularly. A healthy weight minimises the risk of developing high blood pressure.
• Quitting smoking will minimise your risk of developing CHD. Smoking poses a significant risk of developing atherosclerosis.
• Diabetes increases your risk of developing coronary heart disease. Physical activity and weight control can help reduce your risk of cardiac issues. Alongside exercise, choosing the right foods — like a diabetic-safe breakfast — can make a difference. This is a high-quality, nutritionist-recommended option designed to support blood sugar levels. Buy it here: Dia Food - Diabetic Wonder Breakfast.

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