Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatment

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart become hardened and narrowed due to the buildup of cholesterol and other substances, known as plaque. As plaque builds up and the blockage grows, the heart cannot get the blood or oxygen it needs to function, notes the Mayo Clinic . CAD is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), killing more than 375,000 Americans each year.
CAD Symptoms and Diagnosis CAD can take a long time to develop as plaque accumulates in the arteries. Per the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of CAD include: Chest pain (angina) Shortness of breath Fatigue Heart attack Physical or emotional stress may trigger pressure or tightness in your chest, as if a large weight is resting on it. This pain is called angina, and it can be a sign of CAD. Chest pain that occurs with exertion and is relieved with rest, or the medication nitroglycerin, is also typical of angina. If you experience shortness of breath or extreme fatigue following exercise or physical stress, this could also be a sign of a blockage in the arteries leading to your heart. Finally, a blocked coronary artery can cause a heart attack. You may feel pain in your left shoulder or arm, or intense pressure on your chest. If you suspect you are having a heart attack, seek emergency assistance immediately. If you have any other symptoms of CAD, talk to your doctor. If your doctor thinks you may have CAD or are at high risk for the disease, he or she may recommend the following tests, according to the Mayo Clinic : An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to see if you’ve had a heart attack An echocardiogram to assess heart function An exercise stress test to gather information about your heart during physical activity A cardiac catheterization and angiogram to check blood flow through your heart A computerized tomography (CT) scan of your heart to check for calcium deposits in your arteries Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), using MRI technology, to look for blockages For a stress test, your doctor may ask you to walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike while monitoring your heart by ECG. Sometimes your doctor may use medication to elevate your heart rate.
CAD Causes and Risk Factors Damage to the inner wall of the coronary arteries, leading to plaque buildup, can begin as early as childhood, notes the American Heart Association (AHA). This damage may be the result of: Smoking High blood pressure High cholesterol Diabetes Radiation therapy for cancer (in chest area) Inactive lifestyle Family history of CAD Overweight and obesity High levels of stress In addition to these risk factors, simply getting older increases your risk for CAD. Men are also more likely than women to develop CAD, notes the CDC. Researchers are also studying other factors that may lead to CAD, per the Mayo Clinic, including sleep apnea as well as: Elevated C-reactive protein Elevated triglycerides Elevated homocysteine Elevated levels of these substances will show up in blood tests. If any risk factors for CAD apply to you — such as smoking or having high blood pressure — talk to your doctor. Even if you don’t have any signs or symptoms of CAD, your doctor may want to treat you for conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol to help reduce your future risk.
CAD Treatment If you receive a diagnosis of CAD, your doctor may recommend the following lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking Eating healthier foods Exercising regularly Losing weight Reducing stress In addition, a number of prescription drugs are used to treat CAD, including: Cholesterol-lowering drugs, designed to reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or “bad”) cholesterol levels Aspirin or another blood thinner to reduce your risk of blood clots Beta blockers to lower your heart rate and blood pressure Nitroglycerin to control chest pain by dilating your coronary arteries to reduce areas of blockage and your heart’s demand for blood Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to lower your blood pressure Finally, in some cases CAD may require more aggressive treatment in the form of stents (small pieces of metal) placed in your coronary arteries, angioplasty, or coronary artery bypass surgery. In coronary artery stent placement , a cardiologist inserts a long, thin tube (catheter) into the narrowed coronary artery, then places a small metal stent inside the artery. The stent expands the walls of the artery to prop it open and improve coronary blood flow. In angioplasty , a cardiologist inserts a catheter into the narrowed part of your artery to place a deflated balloon. The surgeon then inflates the balloon to compress any deposits against your artery walls. In coronary artery bypass surgery , a surgeon creates a graft to bypass blocked coronary arteries using a blood vessel from another part of your body. This requires open heart surgery. CAD Complications Coronary artery disease can cause the following complications, notes the Mayo Clinic : Angina Heart attack Inability of the heart to pump enough blood (heart failure) Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) But early diagnosis and treatment of CAD may stop or slow its progression and help prevent many of these complications.



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