Coronary Artery Disease Specialist

What is coronary artery disease?

The coronary arteries are the blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. There are two main coronary arteries that also branch off into other arteries that serve the heart. Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when one or more of these arteries become blocked or narrowed, interfering with the normal flow of blood to the heart muscle. When blood flow is significantly impaired, a heart attack can occur, and people with CAD often experience angina, which is chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle is in distress.

What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease?

The most common symptoms of coronary artery disease are chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, feelings of pressure or heaviness in the chest, and fatigue. These symptoms can become more pronounced during exercise or other physical activity. In its very early stages, coronary artery disease symptoms can be subtle, and being screened for CAD risk factors is an important step in preventing heart attack and other problems.

How can I tell if I’m at risk for CAD?

Coronary artery disease has been associated with these risk factors:

• smoking
  
• older age
  
• high blood pressure
  
• high cholesterol
  
• sedentary lifestyle
  
• consuming a diet high in unhealthy fats and sodium
  
• being overweight or obese
  
• diabetes
  
• chronic or severe acute stress
  
• family history of CAD
  

How is coronary artery disease diagnosed and treated?

Coronary artery disease usually is treated by a combination of lifestyle changes and medications. Being more physically active, quitting smoking, eating a diet low in fat and high in fiber, and losing excess weight can play an important role in treatment. Patients with diabetes may also benefit by being more proactive in managing their blood sugar (glucose) levels. Medications can be prescribed to lower blood pressure, decrease cholesterol levels, and thin the blood to make it easier for blood to flow through narrowed spaces. Patients with more advanced cases of CAD may need to have an angioplasty, a procedure designed to open blocked or narrowed arteries, or they may require a bypass operation to replace sections of the artery.