What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease, otherwise known as CAD, is a type of heart disease in which blood vessels that supply blood to your heart get diseased or damaged. Plaque or cholesterol-containing deposits can build-up in coronary arteries and make them too narrow or block the arteries. This, in turn, can cause a heart attack or stroke.
What are the symptoms and complications associated with CAD?
If you have coronary artery disease, you might not have any symptoms at all. As plaque continues to build-up in arteries, however, you may experience:
- Chest pain
- Pain in your shoulder or arm
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Extreme fatigue with physical activity
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Heart failure
You might not have any symptoms until a heart attack or stroke occurs. That’s why it’s important to adopt healthy lifestyle habits and see your doctor regularly.
What are the risk factors for coronary artery disease?
Anybody can develop CAD, but some factors increase your risk. Examples include:
- Eating unhealthy foods
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Older age
- Genetics
- Family history of heart disease
- Being overweight
- Chronic stress
- Heavy alcohol use
Prevention strategies include adopting healthy lifestyle habits, including regular exercise and healthy eating patterns.
How does my doctor diagnose coronary artery disease?
To diagnose CAD and develop an effective treatment, Dr. Al Kaddoumi reviews your symptoms and medical history. He completes a physical exam and might recommend you undergo heart function tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), echocardiograms, stress tests, cardiac catheterization, or CT scans.
What are common CAD treatments?
At Sam Houston Heart and Vascular, common coronary artery disease treatments include:
Lifestyle changes
Adopting healthy lifestyle changes is one of the best ways to maintain healthy arteries. Examples include increasing your fruit and vegetable intake, reducing sodium, added sugar, and animal fat, achieving a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise. Keep stress levels low, don’t smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol, and properly manage diabetes.
Medications
Taking certain medications can prevent coronary artery disease or complications associated with it.
Surgical procedures
Surgical procedures, such as angioplasty with stent placement and coronary artery bypass surgery, can restore blood flow through narrowed or blocked arteries.
Don’t let coronary artery disease go undetected and untreated. Call Sam Houston Heart and Vascular today or book an appointment online.
