The heart – cardiovascular disease
A mild degree of atherosclerosis does not cause any symptoms. More severe cases of coronary atherosclerosis may be associated with chest pain on exertion that settles within a few minutes of rest (angina).
If any of the arteries supplying the heart (coronary arteries) get completely blocked (coronary thrombosis), the part of the heart muscle that’s deprived of blood dies, causing a heart attack(myocardial infarction).
If you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, be aware of heavy or tight chest pain, sometimes also experienced in the throat or left arm. Pain of this nature, not settling within 20 minutes, should be assessed urgently by a doctor or paramedic.