Overview
Coronary Artery Disease is the most common heart disease in the United States. Men and women are both victims of this disease, and it is the leading cause of death in the country. If the blood vessels responsible for blood supply, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart have build-ups of plaque, it can lead to this disease.
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Plaque, which is a mix of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances, can build up in these blood vessels and block the coronary arteries. The process by which this occurs is called atherosclerosis. It decreases blood flow to the heart, and as a result, one can experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and/or other symptoms. In the worst-case scenario, a complete blockage of blood flow can occur, which can cause a heart attack and possible permanent heart damage.
Causes of CAD
Atherosclerosis can take years, and one may not even notice unless symptoms like chest pain start to surface. The most common causes of having a coronary heart condition include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, resistance to diabetes or insulin, and a laid-back daily routine, but there are others.
The likelihood of inheriting it increases substantially if someone has a family history of this disease. People who have higher levels of blood cholesterol or have been diagnosed with obesity or diabetes are prone to Coronary Artery Disease. Similarly, sedentary lifestyles, like continuous sitting and stressful life conditions, are also potent triggers. Dietary habits can also contribute to this disease.
Symptoms
Over time, symptoms of Coronary Artery disease start to show up.
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- The most common is angina (discomfort when the heart muscles don’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood) or other forms of chest pain. Though it is felt for a few minutes when doing a stressful task, one feels discomfort or pressure in the middle or left side of the chest.
- Shortness of breath is another symptom that occurs during an exertive task. It may also be accompanied by fatigue.
- Many people also have a heart attack, which is severe pain in the chest extending to the left arm and the neck and jawline, in the case of women.
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Treatment
CAD is diagnosed through a physical exam, considering medical and family history, evaluating the risk factors, and performing diagnostic tests like electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, cardiac catheterization, etc.
Treatment is usually done through medication and considering the factors that have caused the disease to occur in the first place. Measures are taken to remove those risk factors. In many complicated cases, surgeries and other procedures are also done.
The risk of developing complexities from this disease is very high. Therefore, doctors suggest keeping a healthy and active lifestyle and eating the right foods for patients with the earliest symptoms.