Key Facts
- There are three main types of coronary artery disease: obstructive coronary artery disease, nonobstructive coronary artery disease, and coronary microvascular disease.
- Risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease include:
- Age–Getting older increases your risk of damaged and narrowed arteries.
- Gender–Men are generally at greater risk of coronary artery disease. However, the risk for women increases after menopause.
- Family history–A family history of heart disease is associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease, especially if a close relative developed heart disease at an early age.
- High blood pressure– Uncontrolled high blood pressure can result in hardening and thickening of your arteries, narrowing the channel through which blood can flow.
- High blood cholesterol levels– High levels of cholesterol in your blood can increase the risk of formation of plaque and atherosclerosis. High cholesterol can be caused by a high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, known as the “bad” cholesterol. A low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, known as the “good” cholesterol, can also contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
- Diabetes– is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease share similar risk factors, such as obesity and high blood pressure.
- Overweight or obesity–Excess weight typically worsens other risk factors.
- Physical inactivity–Lack of exercise also is associated with coronary artery disease and some of its risk factors, as well.
- High stress–Unrelieved stress in your life may damage your arteries as well as worsen other risk factors for coronary artery disease.
- Unhealthy diet–Eating too much food that has high amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, salt and sugar can increase your risk of coronary artery disease.
Signs & Symptoms
- Chest pain (angina)–The pain may be for just a short time and feel like pressure or tightness.
- Shortness of breath–You might feel like you can’t breathe well or get tired very easily.
- Heart attack symptoms–Extreme chest, arm or shoulder pain or pressure sometimes with sweating. Women may have neck or jaw pain, nausea and fatigue.
Managing CAD
- CAD cannot be cured, but it can often be treated. Treatment options will depend on the effects of CAD and the situation for each individual patient. Some treatment options are:
- Medications to lower cholesterol, slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure and reduce pain may be given.
- Sometimes surgery or other medical procedures are needed. A coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) may be needed, especially if you had a heart attack.
- Angioplasty, where the arteries are widened with a small balloon, may be used to help blood flow. A heart stent is often put in at this time.
- A heart stent, which is a small tube, may be put into the artery to hold it open. There is now a small heart pump available for some patients that can keep your blood flow and blood pressure the same during a stent procedure to make it safer.
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Often with CAD, you will be encouraged to make some lifestyle changes that may include:
- healthy eating
- exercise
- stop smoking (if you smoke)
- limitations on your diet
- reduce stress
- lose weight
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- What type of heart disease do I have and how does it affect me?
- What changes can I make to improve my health and reduce risks?
- Are there medications I can take, and how do they work?
- Do I need surgery or other medical procedures? What is involved?
- Are there any new options available to make procedures safer for patients like me?
- What are the risks and benefits of each treatment option available to me?
- Where can I find more information to help me make the best decisions?