What is Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease.  It occurs when arteries in the heart are blocked, leading to complications including;

• Angina (chest pain) if the heart does not have enough oxygen; or
• Heart attack if the heart does not get any oxygen at all. During an attack, some of the heart muscle can die from a lack of oxygen.

Causes

Over many years, plaque builds up on artery walls (atherosclerosis).  Sometimes plaque in an artery can rupture.  The body's repair system in turn creates a blood clot to heal the wound.  The clot, however, can block the artery, leading to either a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms

Early warning signs may include: fatigue, pain and dizziness.  They can also include the symptoms associated with angina: a squeezing, suffocating or burning feeling in your chest that tends to start in the center of your chest but may move to your arm, neck, back, throat or jaw.  Women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms such as vague chest discomfort.  If left untreated, CAD can lead to other serious problems such as heart attack, stroke or even death.

Treatments

Your physician can treat both atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease with lifestyle and dietary changes, medications, surgery or other procedures.  You can lower your risk by knowing and controlling your blood pressure, diabetes and blood cholesterol.  It is also important to lead a healthy lifestyle by being smoke-free, physically active, eating a healthy diet that is lower in fat, especially saturated and trans fats, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol use, and reducing your stress.