Coronary artery disease (CAD) often known as coronary heart disease is a common heart condition in which the coronary arteries ( major blood vessels that supply the heart )struggle to supply sufficient blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease is typically brought on by inflammation and cholesterol buildup (plaques) in the heart arteries.
Signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease appear when the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. If you have coronary artery disease, reduced blood flow to the heart might cause angina (chest pain) and shortness of breath. A heart attack may result from a complete obstruction of blood flow.
It often takes decades for coronary artery disease to manifest. Until a major blockage causes issues or a heart attack happens, symptoms could go unrecognized. One can help prevent coronary artery disease by leading a heart-healthy lifestyle.
What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease is the most prevalent type of heart disease. It occurs when the heart's blood flow is reduced by something, such as plaque accumulation. It may make you more susceptible to heart attacks.What Are The Symptoms Of Coronary Artery Disease?
In the initial stages of coronary artery disease, you may not experience any symptoms. However, as the plaque continues to build up and reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, you may start noticing the symptoms. The common signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease include:- Angina or chest pain: It is the most common symptom of CAD. Some people experience this as a heaviness, tightness, burning, or squeezing on the chest. The chest pain is usually felt on the middle or left side of the chest. Angina can be brought on by activity or strong emotions. The pain usually subsides within minutes after the triggering event ends. In some individuals, especially women, the pain may be brief or sharp and felt in the back, arm, or neck.
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Pain in arms or shoulders
- Dizziness
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue: The inability of the heart to pump adequate blood into body parts may result in severe tiredness.
- Heart attack: A heart attack is brought on by a completely blocked coronary artery. Sweating, shortness of breath, shoulder or arm pain, and crushing chest pain or pressure are the classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Less common symptoms that women may experience include fatigue, nausea, and jaw or neck pain. Certain heart attacks have no outward symptoms or indicators.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Jaw pain
- Neck pain
- Dyspnea without feeling pain in the chest
What Are The Causes Of Coronary Artery Disease?
The main cause of coronary artery disease is the buildup of fat and cholesterol (known as plaque) in the blood vessels known as atherosclerosis. This plaque can cause narrowing of the coronary artery or it may burst to form a blood clot. Apart from high cholesterol, other causes of coronary artery disease include:- High blood pressure
- Diabetes or insulin resistance
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Tobacco use
How To Diagnose Coronary Artery Disease?
The diagnosis of coronary artery disease requires a detailed physical examination, reviewing of medical history and certain tests. These tests include:- Electrocardiogram: It helps to monitor the electrical activity of the heart as well as it helps the physician to determine if you have had a heart attack.
- Echocardiogram: It uses ultrasound waves to create detailed pictures of the heart to help physicians check whether the heart is functioning properly.
- Stress test: It monitors the electrical activity of the heart during exercises like walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bike. If signs and symptoms occur on exercise you are asked to perform this test. An echogram taken during the stress test is known as a stress echo. Nuclear imaging or echocardiographic imaging may also be done for a portion of this test. If you are not able to perform physical exercise, certain medications can be used instead for stress testing.
- Cardiac catheterisation (left heart catheterisation): During this procedure, a special dye is injected into the coronary arteries through a catheter inserted through an artery in your wrist or groin. This dye helps to improve the radiographic imaging of coronary arteries to detect any blockages.
- Heart CT scan: This helps the physician to detect any calcium deposits in the arteries.
How To Treat Coronary Artery Disease?
If you are diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), it's critical to manage your risk factors and pursue therapy in order to minimize your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Your overall well-being, risk factors, and present state of health will all influence how you are treated. Medication, lifestyle adjustments, and surgery are all part of the treatment.Medications for coronary artery disease: The medications for managing coronary artery disease include:
Cholesterol drugs: These medicines help to manage high cholesterol levels. Examples include statins, niacin, fibrates and bile acid sequestrants.
Aspirin: It helps to prevent the formation of blood clots by thinning the blood.
Beta-blockers: These medicines help to lower high blood pressure and to slow the heart rate.
Calcium channel blockers: These drugs help to manage chest pain symptoms and are mainly given if beta blockers do not work properly.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): These medicines prevent the worsening of coronary artery disease and they help to lower high blood pressure.
Nitroglycerine: This medicine is available as pills, sprays or patches. It helps to widen the arteries and to control chest pain.
Ranolazine: This medicine is given with or instead of beta blockers and it helps to manage chest pain.
Lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease: The following are some lifestyle changes that help you to reduce the risk of getting heart disease as well as to prevent the worsening of existing conditions:
- Avoid or limit alcohol consumption
- Stop using tobacco products
- Stop smoking
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Involve in regular physical activities
- Maintain a balanced diet
- Reduce the intake of added sugar, saturated fat, sodium
Balloon angioplasty: A treatment used to open up blocked arteries and push down plaque accumulation, usually done with the insertion of a stent to help keep the lumen open after the procedure.
Coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A procedure done to restore blood flow to the heart in open chest surgery.
Enhanced external counterpulsation: a noninvasive technique to encourage the growth of new, tiny blood vessels that will naturally avoid blocked arteries.
Conclusion
Everybody has a distinct perspective on coronary artery disease. The earlier you begin therapy or make lifestyle changes, the greater your chances are of preventing significant cardiac damage. It's critical to adhere to your doctor's advice. Adhere to the advised lifestyle modifications and use prescription drugs as prescribed. Reducing your risk factors can help avoid coronary artery disease if you are at a higher risk for the condition. Consult with our skilled cardiologists at Asian Heart Institute for the best treatment for your heart problems. Make an appointment for your consultation right now.FAQs
Q: What is the first-line treatment for coronary artery disease?A: Although beta-blockers are the recommended first line of treatment, they can be used in conjunction with calcium channel blockers, ranolazine, and nitrates to ease symptoms in cases where beta-blockers are contraindicated or have unbearable side effects. Along with these medications, lifestyle changes are also recommended.
Q: What is one of the first symptoms of coronary artery disease
A: Early symptoms of coronary artery disease include chest pain (angina), heart palpitations, which may feel like a racing or pounding heartbeat and shortness of breath, especially when you exert yourself.
Q: Is coronary artery disease a serious condition?
A: Individuals who have coronary artery disease are more vulnerable to heart attacks and other heart-related problems that can be life-threatening or severely incapacitating. This results in symptoms like dyspnea and chest discomfort, which are referred to as cardiac angina in clinical terms.
