Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. In fact, it affects more than 18 million adults in the United States. It is the leading cause of death for both men and women across the world.
Although the condition is common, many people don’t know they have CAD until it leads to a serious problem. Here is what you need to know about CAD and the steps you can take to keep your heart and arteries healthy.
What is CAD?
Your heart muscle relies on oxygen and nutrients to work; blood delivers this important fuel to your heart through tubes called coronary arteries. CAD develops when plaque builds up inside these tubes. This plaque is a sticky mix of fat and cholesterol that makes the arteries hard and narrow. When these tubes get clogged, your heart can’t get the blood it needs to stay healthy. This can cause several problems:
- Angina (Chest Pain): A feeling of squeezing, pressure or fullness in your chest
- Heart Failure: The heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should
- Heart Attack: If the plaque breaks open and forms a clot, it can completely block blood from reaching the heart muscle
Risk Factors: What Increases Your Chance of CAD?
You can influence some causes of CAD, but others you cannot. One-third of Americans have at least one of these modifiable risk factors for CAD:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Being overweight or obese
- Eating too much salt, sugar and "bad" fats
- Not exercising
- Having too much stress
Nonmodifiable risk factors include:
- Getting older
- Being male
- Having a family history of heart disease
How is CAD Diagnosed?
To find out if you have CAD, your doctor will look at your risk factors and talk with you about your symptoms. After a physical exam, they may use one of these tests to see how your heart is working:
- ECG (Electrocardiogram): Checks the heart's electrical activity
- Stress Test: Evaluates how your heart handles exercise
- Ultrasound or CT Scan: Takes images of the heart and its blood vessels
- Angiogram: Uses a special dye to see blockages on an X-ray
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
Signs of coronary artery disease can vary. During the early stages of the disease, it’s common to have no symptoms at all. As the disease gets worse, you may notice:
- Angina (chest pain or pressure)
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling very tired or weak
In some cases, heart attack is the first warning of CAD. Heart attacks can feel different for men and women. While both usually feel chest pain, women are more likely to feel sick to their stomach (nausea) or have shortness of breath. If you think you are having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 immediately.
How is CAD Treated?
While there is no cure for CAD, a variety of treatments are helping people live longer and healthier lives than ever before.
1. Lifestyle Changes
Heart-healthy habits are the best defense against CAD. These include eating better, moving more and staying smoke-free. It’s also important to find positive ways to manage stress.
2. Medications
Doctors often prescribe medicine to lower your blood pressure, lower cholesterol or slow your heart rate.
3. Procedures and Surgery
Sometimes, a doctor needs to open the blockage with a surgical procedure. Some of these options include:
- Stents: A tiny mesh tube is placed in the artery to hold it open
- Angioplasty: A small balloon is used to widen the narrow artery and improve blood flow
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: In more severe cases, a surgeon can use a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body to "bypass" or create a new path around the blocked part of the artery
How to Take Charge of Your Heart
The best way to stay ahead of CAD is to catch it early. Begin by talking to your doctor about your risk factors. Together, you can create a plan for proactive measures like eating well and staying active. Making small, healthy changes today can build a much stronger heart for tomorrow.
