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Print: What are the symptoms of small vessel disease?
The most common symptom of small vessel disease is angina (say: "ann-ji-na"). Angina often feels like a squeezing pain or a pressing feeling in the chest. The pain of angina may make you sweat or make it hard to catch your breath. You may feel pain in your arm, neck, jaw or shoulder as well as in your chest. It is like the symptoms of a heart attack, but it usually happens when you are exercising or being active.
Other symptoms of small vessel disease can include:
- Fainting
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
If left untreated, small vessel disease can make your heart work harder to pump blood. This can put you at risk for heart attack and heart failure.
Next: Causes & Risk Factors
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Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff
Created: 05/10
