Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen, and nutrients (coronary arteries) become damaged or diseased. Cholesterol-containing deposits (plaque) in your arteries and inflammation are usually responsible for this disease. When plaque builds up, it narrows your coronary arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. Eventually, the decreased blood flow may cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or other coronary artery disease signs and symptoms. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
Causes
- Buildup of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) - The most common cause of CAD is atherosclerosis, a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries.
- Damage to the inner layer of coronary arteries - This can be caused by various factors including smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or insulin resistance.
- Inflammation - Chronic inflammation in the arterial walls can lead to the buildup of plaque.
- Genetic factors - Family history plays a significant role in the development of CAD.
- Lifestyle factors - Lack of exercise, poor diet, obesity, and stress can contribute to the development of CAD.
Signs and Symptoms
- Chest pain (angina) - You may feel pressure or tightness in your chest, as if someone were standing on your chest.
- Shortness of breath - If your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you may develop shortness of breath or extreme fatigue with activity.
- Heart attack - A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. The classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing pressure in your chest and pain in your shoulder or arm, sometimes with shortness of breath and sweating.
- Fatigue - Feeling more tired than usual and having less energy may be symptoms of heart disease, especially in women.
- Nausea and dizziness - These symptoms may occur during activity or times of stress, particularly if your heart isn't functioning properly.
- Irregular heartbeat - Changes in your heart's rhythm may be a sign of heart disease.
Diagnosis
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
This records electrical signals as they travel through your heart. An ECG can reveal evidence of a previous heart attack or one that's in progress.
Echocardiogram
This uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. During an echocardiogram, your doctor can determine whether all parts of the heart wall are contributing normally to your heart's pumping activity.
Stress Test
This shows how your heart works during physical activity. It might reveal irregular heart rhythms, inadequate blood supply through the coronary arteries, or heart damage from a heart attack.
Cardiac CT Scan
A cardiac CT scan creates detailed images of your heart and can show calcium deposits in your arteries that can narrow your arteries.
Coronary Angiogram
This procedure uses X-ray imaging to see your heart's blood vessels. During a coronary angiogram, a type of dye that's visible by X-ray machine is injected into the blood vessels of your heart.
Treatment Options
Lifestyle Changes
Making heart-healthy lifestyle changes is an important part of treating coronary artery disease. These include quitting smoking, eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress.
Medications
Various medications can be used to treat coronary artery disease, including cholesterol-modifying medications, aspirin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, ranolazine, nitroglycerin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Medical Procedures
If lifestyle changes and medications aren't enough, medical procedures may be necessary. These include angioplasty and stent placement, or coronary artery bypass surgery.
Home Remedies
Heart-Healthy Diet
Follow a diet that's low in salt, added sugars, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fish. Avoid processed foods and excess alcohol.
Regular Physical Activity
Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, most days of the week. Always consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Stress Management
Practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or tai chi. Finding healthy ways to manage stress can help reduce the burden on your heart.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your heart. Seek help from smoking cessation programs or talk to your doctor about medications that can help you quit.
Weight Management
If you're overweight, losing even a small amount of weight can help reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, which helps reduce the strain on your heart.
Preventive Care
- Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
- Eat a balanced diet that's low in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium, and added sugars.
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
- Avoid smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
- Control blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
- Limit alcohol consumption.
- Manage stress through healthy coping mechanisms.
- Get regular check-ups and screenings for heart disease risk factors.
- Take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
- Know your family history of heart disease and discuss it with your doctor.
Surgical Options
Coronary Angioplasty & Stenting
A minimally invasive procedure to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, restoring blood flow to the heart. A small balloon is inflated to compress plaque against the artery wall, and a stent is often placed to keep the artery open.
Learn More About This ProcedureCoronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
A surgical procedure that improves blood flow to the heart by using blood vessels from another part of your body to create a new route around narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.
Learn More About This ProcedureSchedule a Consultation
If you're experiencing symptoms of coronary artery disease, our expert team is here to help you find the right treatment approach for your specific needs.