Introduction

Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to other parts of the body. Heart has its own blood supply which is done by coronary artery. Coronary artery has smooth, flexible walls that can expand to allow more blood flow when needed. When a fatty plaque blocks an artery, the plaque can crack, and blood cells can clump together at the site of the damage to the artery wall. It can lead to coronary artery disease. When the heart artery is 100% closed or narrowed, it will lead to a heart attack.

What Is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

When the arteries become narrow or clogged, blood flow in heart is diminished and can cause problems. These clogs are called plaque and can form over a long period. There are many risk factors responsible for CAD, such as -

- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Too much stress

What Are The Symptoms Of Coronary Artery Disease?

It’s not always easy to know when a person has CAD. Many people aren’t aware of the condition at first and don’t notice symptoms until it worsens.

Some early symptoms include chest discomfort and heaviness, shortness of breath when a person walks or exercises and a change in the heart’s rhythm, a sign of an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia causes your heart to beat too fast or too slowly, which can be hard on your heart and cause it to fail over time.

Another sign of CAD is a sudden, intense pain in the centre of the chest that lasts several minutes and feels like squeezing, pressure, or fullness. This pain typically occurs in the upper left or right of the chest and can radiate to the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back region, which may indicate myocardial infraction or heart attack.

The person must consult a doctor immediately or reach to emergency department of hospital if any of these symptoms are experienced, mainly during exercise or other stress.

How Is Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosed?

It is imperative to first consult with a cardiologist about the diagnosis procedure. The cardiologist will consider the individual-specific risk factors and symptoms when diagnosing.

These include a complete physical exam, an electrocardiogram, and blood tests.

- Stress Testing: The person may also be asked to do a treadmill or exercise test that makes the heart work harder. This can help determine if the heart cannot supply enough blood and oxygen to the heart muscle due to ischemia.
- CT Scan/Echocardiogram: The cardiologist will use a specialised X-ray to examine the heart and coronary arteries. This can help identify if there are plaque build-ups before symptoms of CAD start showing.

Other tests and evaluations can also help your doctor diagnose CAD. For example, a person may need a coronary angiogram test to check arteries for narrowing and other problems. This test uses a long, thin tube called a catheter and dye that flows through the arteries.

How does CAD Affect the Heart?

CAD is a fatal disorder that damages the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart and other body parts. Here are some ways it affects the heart functioning.

- It can reduce the amount of blood that can flow through the arteries and may lead to a decrease in oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
- Due to the decreased oxygen supply, many complications arise, such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Sometimes, when the situation gets worse, it leads to a heart attack.
- The effects of CAD on the heart can vary depending on the severity of the narrowing or blockage. In mild cases, the heart muscle may not be affected. However, the muscle may not receive enough oxygen-rich blood in severe cases and may weaken.
- CAD can also lead to a heart attack when a blockage in an artery prevents the heart from receiving enough blood. It can result in arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, and heart failure.
- Once a person has suffered a heart attack, the chances of having another one increase. This is because the underlying causes of the first heart attack remain unless treated adequately.

What are the treatment options for coronary artery disease?

Here are some treatment options which can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, improve symptoms and make the person more comfortable.

Lifestyle Changes

Reducing the risk of coronary disease is the best way to avoid developing heart problems. The steps taken to reduce the risk of CAD are the same as those for preventing other heart diseases.

- A good diet can help reduce the risk of CAD by helping to lower high cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood. The diet must include oats, nuts, barley, apples, beans, etc.
- Eating foods low in saturated fats and fibre, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
- Limiting salt intake and avoiding processed foods can also be beneficial.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol

It’s essential to keep the body weight in a healthy range if a person wants to reduce the risk of CAD.

Medications

The doctor can recommend a medication that works best for the patient. These recommended drugs widen the blood vessels, boosting oxygen and blood circulation to the heart. Medications, such as aspirin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, nitrates, and many others, can help lower the risk of heart attack or stroke by increasing blood flow to the heart. They can also decrease the heart's demand for oxygen, improve the symptoms and make the person more comfortable.

Coronary Intervention & Surgery

- Angioplasty - If a blockage is found, your doctor will treat it with medicines or a procedure called angioplasty. This procedure can include removing a clot, opening the blockage with a balloon, or placing a stent to keep the artery open.
- Coronary artery bypass surgery - Patient may require bypass zsurgery if there are multiple blockages.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert cardiology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Coronary artery disease (CAD) which is in rise in countries like India is a serious condition that can have a major effect on your heart. The doctor and the patient can decide which treatment is best based on health, age, gender, and other risk factors. The patient might also need regular follow-ups and a combination of medical treatment & coronary intervention or surgery to help control symptoms and increase the chances of survival.

FAQs About Coronary Artery Disease

Q. What are some risk factors for coronary artery diseases? A. Some risk factors for CAD are overweight or obese, smoking, having high cholesterol levels, being physically inactive, and having certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Some of these factors can be treated.

Q. What is the leading cause of CAD? A. The building of cholesterol plaque in the coronary arteries is the leading cause of CAD. It further affects the blood supply to the heart.

Q. What are the sign & symptoms of coronary artery disease? A. Chest pain, shortness of breath, the feeling of uneasiness, frequent sweating, and fatigue are some common signs & symptoms of heart disease.

Q. How to diagnose coronary artery disease? A. Several tests such as coronary angiogram, ECG, treadmill test, CT coronary angiogram, and blood test are used to diagnose the heart condition. Based on that, doctors discuss about the treatment option that treats CAD.

Q. Is coronary artery disease curable? A. During treatment, the doctor prescribes some medications, such as aspirin, beta-blockers, nitroglycerine, ACE inhibitors, and more. Surgery, such as coronary angioplasty, stenting, and coronary bypass surgery, is recommended in severe cases.