Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is when the coronary arteries that supply oxygen and blood to the heart are narrowed. This is usually caused by atherosclerosis, when cholesterol, fat, and other substances collect in the arteries. This collection of substances is usually called plaque, and it scares and irritates the arteries, which cause them to thicken and harden. In the long term, this narrows the artery’s opening, limiting the amount of blood your heart disease. When this occurs, you have coronary artery disease, the most common form of heart disease.
Risk factors for CAD include:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Genetics
- Age (over 45 for men, over 55 for women)
- Low “good cholesterol”
- Elevated C-Reactive protein in your blood (a protein produced by your liver that indicates inflammation in your body)
- Buildup of calcium in your coronary arteries
Symptoms
Unfortunately, it is not always clear that you have CAD until the disease is in an advanced stage. At this state, angina or a heart attack may occur.
Prevention
Living a heart-healthy life can help you minimize blood pressure and cholesterol, keep arteries clear, and prevent CAD. Use these strategies:
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat protein like nuts and fish
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight and keep diabetes under control
- Quit smoking
- Control your cholesterol
Diagnostic Tests
- 3D Echo
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac CT
- Cardiac MRI
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiograms (EKG, ECG)
- IVUS
- Nuclear Cardiology and Heart Perfusion Imaging
- Stress Testing
- Cardiac Rehab
- Heart Failure Management
