Coronary Artery Disease: Signs, Symptoms and How to Prevent it.

18 de abril de 2020

4 min de lectura

Heart disease is not a single health problem, but rather a range of conditions that can affect the health and function of the heart and circulatory system. Of these conditions, coronary artery disease is the most common, affecting 18.2 million people in the united

What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) happens when the arteries that supply blood to the heart (called coronary arteries) become narrowed or blocked by a waxy substance called plaque. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, cellular waste products, and other substances. When plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, it can reduce blood flow to the heart.

Coronary artery disease can happen to anyone, but some people have certain risk factors which make them more likely to develop it. These risk factors include:

Overweight and obesity
Physical inactivity
Unhealthy diet
Smoking

These and other factors contribute to the build-up of plaque in arteries (a phenomenon called atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, and other issues which contribute to coronary artery disease. Having a family history of CAD also makes a person more likely to develop it.

Signs and Symptoms, and Complications of Coronary Artery Disease

In the early stages of CAD, a person may not notice any unusual signs or symptoms. As the plaque build-up becomes significant enough and the coronary arteries start to narrow and harden more, a person may begin to notice chest pain or pressure (angina) or shortness of breath. These sensations can come on when the person is performing physical activity, during stress, or even at rest.

Over time, the narrowing of coronary arteries and decreased blood flow to the heart can lead to long-term damage and weakening of the heart tissue. This can lead to complications, some of which can be life-threatening, including irregular heart beat (dysrhythmia), heart failure, stroke, and heart attack.

Did you know? It's been estimated that every forty seconds someone in the United States experiences a heart attack. A majority of these events are caused by or related to CAD. In addition, a lot of people who have a heart attack never even realize they have coronary artery disease until after having their first one. (Some of the warning signs of a heart attack include chest pain, weakness or lightheadedness, nausea, pain in the arm or shoulders, a cold sweat, indigestion, heartburn, and shortness of breath.)

In other words, it's not always possible to "tell" if you have this condition without consulting with a doctor. That's why it's important to check with a healthcare provider if you have a family history of CAD or any known risk factors. The earlier you are diagnosed, the earlier you can get started on a proper treatment and management plan.

Diagnosing and Treating Coronary Artery Disease

There are a variety of tests a doctor may recommend to help diagnose CAD. These include:

Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): a non-invasive that measures your heart's electrical activity
Echocardiogram: a non-invasive device that takes a picture of your heart using ultrasound
Exercise stress test: a test of your heart function as you walk on a treadmill
Cardiac catheterization: a more invasive procedure used to assess the inside of your arteries by inserting a thin flexible tube inside them

A doctor can also look at lab tests and blood work, as well as a person's medical and family history, to help confirm a diagnosis of CAD. Treatment depends on several factors, including the severity of the person's condition and their overall health, but often includes medications to help correct CAD risk factors (like high blood pressure or irregular heart beats), surgery to help improve the amount of blood that flows to the heart tissue, and lifestyle changes.

Living with Coronary Artery Disease: What You Can Do

And here's where the patient comes in! Research shows that making healthy lifestyle changes is very effective when living with CAD. Taking action to live in a healthier way—such as by acheiving and maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and managing stress—can slow the progression of CAD or even reduce the amount of plaque in the arteries. These changes can improve your quality of life, improve CAD symptoms like angina, and reduce the risk of complications like heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

These healthy changes can be implemented at any point in life with the guidance of your provider. After a person has a heart attack or experiences heart failure, these lifestyle modifications are often initiated in a supervised setting known as cardiac rehabilitation. Typically run in an outpatient setting at a hospital or clinic, cardiac rehab is a program that includes a variety of medical professionals including physcians, mental health counselors, physical therapists, and nutritionists.

Has you or someone in your life been affected by coronary artery disease? Healthread is here to help you get to the "heart" of the matter by bringing you information, resources, and community support. Nobody has to face this condition alone!

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En esta página

What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

Signs and Symptoms, and Complications of Coronary Artery Disease

Diagnosing and Treating Coronary Artery Disease

Living with Coronary Artery Disease: What You Can Do

Sources

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