What you really need to know about ‘silent killer’ blocked arteries

Kate Ng
·Trending Lifestyle Reporter
·5-min read
Woman doctor shows a plastic model of the heart, close-up. Training material for a cardiologist, a surgeon's workplace
Arteries can become blocked over many decades, before resulting in conditions that can become severe quickly. (Getty Images)

Heart problems are very common in the UK, with around 7.6 million people living with a heart of circulatory disease in the country - which makes it extremely important to check in on your heart health regularly.

Jeremy Clarkson recently revealed that he had to undergo heart surgery after experiencing worrying symptoms that led to his health suddenly deteriorating. Following tests, the former Top Gear star discovered one of his arteries was "completely blocked", with a second artery "heading that way".

Clarkson, 64, went to the hospital for an emergency procedure to clear his blocked arteries and had a stent fitted. Writing in The Sunday Times, Clarkson said: "The next morning I went home, and here I am, two hours later, writing this and sort of thinking, ‘Crikey, that was close’."

Jeremy Clarkson said he may have been 'days away' from death because of his blocked arteries. (Getty Images)
Jeremy Clarkson said he may have been 'days away' from death because of his blocked arteries. (Getty Images)

Blocked arteries, also called atherosclerosis, have been dubbed "silent killers" because the build-up of various materials, including fatty deposits and fibrous material, can occur over many decades, according to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) - before becoming very serious, very quickly.

Professor Martin Bennett, of the BHF, explained that once the build-up reaches a certain size, the artery can become so narrow that not enough blood can get through, resulting in pain or discomfort. If the build-up breaks down, it can even lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Prof Bennett said that many people with blocked arteries are unaware this is happening in their hearts until they develop symptoms.

"Unfortunately, sometimes the first time that someone realises that they have atherosclerosis is when they have an event such as a stroke or a heart attack," he said.

Close up of the man feeling the pain in his chest
Chest pain is a concerning symptom that you may have heart problems. (Getty Images)

There are some symptoms you can look out for, including:

  • Chest pain

  • Pain in your arms and legs, especially when exercising

  • Feeling short of breath

  • Feeling tired all the time

  • Feeling weak

  • Feeling confused

"Clarkson also mentioned feeling clammy" and described having a "tightness" in his chest. He initially ignored these symptoms, but later noticed "pins and needles" in his left arm, which prompted him to call a doctor.

It's important to get your heart health checked regularly. (Getty Images)
It's important to get your heart health checked regularly. (Getty Images)

Your arteries can become blocked when fatty deposits build up in the lining of the artery wall. Prof Bennett explains: "The material is ‘foreign’ to our bodies, so causes inflammation. The artery tries to clear up the inflammation by repairing the tissue, creating a seal of fibrous material over the fatty core.

"Over time, this forms a plaque, which consists of the fatty material, the inflammation and the fibrous tissue around it.

"This process gradually continues so more atheroma (fatty material) accumulates, causing more inflammation, which results in a bigger plaque. It can take many years before plaque growth has a significant effect."

One of the biggest risk factors for blocked arteries is age, and it is more common in people in their 60s and 70s. Having an unhealthy lifestyle can also increase the risk of developing the disease at a younger age.

If your arteries become too narrow, your risk of developing heart problems increases, and some of them can be fatal.

According to the NHS, atherosclerosis can get worse over time without lifestyle changes and medical treatment, potentially causing:

  • Heart attacks

  • Stroke

  • Peripheral arterial disease

  • Other types of cardiovascular disease

Treatment include lifestyle changes like eating more healthily and reducing the amount of saturated fat and sugar you consume. Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight can also keep your heart in good shape.

Some medications can lower the risk of having a heart attack or stroke, and surgery can help improve blood flow through the affected arteries.

People over the age of 40 are encouraged to go for a regular cardiovascular risk assessment of health check at their GP surgery.

This involves taking your blood pressure, cholesterol, and medical history, in order to calculate your risk of having an event such as a heart attack or stroke.

If you are found to be at high risk, you will be advised to make lifestyle changes and be monitored. You may also be prescribed medication, such as statin, to reduce your risk.

You should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 if you experience symptoms such as chest pain that comes and goes, feeling short of breath, or having pain in the arms and legs when walking or exercising.

You should call 999 if you have the following symptoms:

  • Signs of a heart attack

  • Pain like a tight band or heavy weight in your chest

  • Signs of a stroke

  • Face dropping to one side, cannot hold both arms up, difficulty speaking

  • Difficulty breathing

  • Gasping for breath, choking, not being able to get any words out

  • Sudden confusion

  • Unable to think or speak clearly, suddenly not knowing where you are

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