Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common heart conditions, affecting about three million Americans each year.
It’s caused by plaque buildup in the main arteries that deliver blood to the heart, which can restrict blood flow and cause a heart attack or stroke. Doctors refer to this blood restriction as atherosclerosis, and it is the main cause of CAD.
While coronary artery disease is common and potentially fatal, lifestyle changes can help prevent CAD or reduce your risk. Watch this video to learn more about CAD.
Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
Because plaque builds up in the arteries over many years, coronary artery disease doesn’t always cause symptoms until the condition is advanced.
Symptoms of coronary artery disease include:
- Chest pain or tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
You may experience fatigue and shortness of breath when exercising or going up a flight of stairs, and it goes away once you stop exerting yourself. Check with your doctor if this is normal or a sign of CAD.
Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors
There are some factors that may put you at a higher risk of developing plaque buildup in your coronary arteries. They include:
- Smoking
- Being overweight or obese
- Type 2 diabetes
- Not getting adequate physical exercise
- High levels of fat and cholesterol in the blood
- High blood pressure
- Family history of CAD
Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease
To diagnose coronary artery disease, your provider will ask about any symptoms you may be having and how long you’ve experienced them.
They may recommend one or more of these tests to make a diagnosis, including:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures your heart’s electrical activity and shows heart damage
- Stress test: Shows how well your heart pumps blood during exercise
- Cardiac catheterization: Uses dye and X-ray imaging to show a clearer picture of your coronary arteries and plaque buildup
Coronary Artery Disease Treatment Options
If your provider diagnoses you with coronary artery disease, don’t panic. You may be able to make lifestyle and diet adjustments to manage it before resorting to medication or a surgical procedure.
Lifestyle Changes
Making healthy lifestyle changes can help keep your CAD under control and prevent it from worsening. Your doctor may recommend:
- Getting enough exercise (150 minutes each week) to lower your blood pressure
- Eating a heart-healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol
- Quitting smoking
- Keeping your weight at a healthy level
Medication
If lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to keep your CAD in check, your cardiologist may prescribe medication to:
- Lower your cholesterol
- Lower blood pressure
- Prevent blood clots
- Help you manage your weight
Stents
A stent is a flexible metal tube inserted into your coronary artery to help keep it open to allow blood to flow. This is a noninvasive procedure. Your doctor will insert the stent through a vein in your leg and guide it with a catheter into the blocked artery.
Surgical Procedure
If your CAD is advanced, your cardiologist may recommend open heart bypass surgery.
Living with Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease isn’t curable, but there are steps you can take to manage it and lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Making heart healthy choices and taking medication as prescribed can go a long way to protect your heart.
Be sure to stay on track with doctor’s appointments and notify your cardiologist if you experience any new symptoms or your symptoms worsen.
Your cardiologist may recommend cardiac rehabilitation, which can help alleviate symptoms and reduce your risk of serious complications like heart attack.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the life expectancy of someone with coronary artery disease?
Many people with coronary artery disease can live normal lives with proper medication and lifestyle adjustments. However, depending on the severity of the condition, people living with CAD may have a heart attack or stroke sooner than someone who doesn’t have the condition. It depends on your individual health.
What dissolves artery plaque?
While artery plaque cannot be dissolved, it can be reduced with cholesterol-lowering medication. Other interventions like stents don’t shrink plaque.
What foods help clear arteries?
Doctors recommend those living with CAD adopt the Mediterranean diet or the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. The DASH diet is high in potassium and low in sodium.
Coronary Artery Disease Care at University Health
Learning you may have a heart condition can be daunting, but you don’t have to manage it alone. The heart team at University Health is ready to provide expert, compassionate care.
