Like all muscles and organs, the heart needs a continuous supply of blood to function properly. The blood vessels that circulate blood to the heart are called coronary arteries. When those arteries narrow or become blocked, the result is coronary artery disease or CAD. The blockage in the coronary arteries is usually due to a build-up of cholesterol and fatty deposits called plaques. When blood flow to the heart diminishes and the heart muscle receives less than its usual supply of oxygen and nutrients, the result is chest pain known as angina. If the coronary arteries become completely blocked and parts of the heart muscle are deprived of oxygen and vital nutrients, a heart attack may occur. Signs you have CAD can include a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, weakness and irregular heartbeats. Several different types of tests can be performed to help physicians determine the extent of your coronary artery disease. An exercise stress test may be ordered, because symptoms are often most evident during physical activity. You may also undergo an angiogram, in which dye is...more

Like all muscles and organs, the heart needs a continuous supply of blood to function properly. The blood vessels that circulate blood to the heart are called coronary arteries. When those arteries narrow or become blocked, the result is coronary artery disease or CAD. The blockage in the coronary arteries is usually due to a build-up of cholesterol and fatty deposits called plaques. When blood flow to the heart diminishes and the heart muscle receives less than its usual supply of oxygen and nutrients, the result is chest pain known as angina. If the coronary arteries become completely blocked and parts of the heart muscle are deprived of oxygen and vital nutrients, a heart attack may occur. Signs you have CAD can include a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, weakness and irregular heartbeats. Several different types of tests can be performed to help physicians determine the extent of your coronary artery disease. An exercise stress test may be ordered, because symptoms are often most evident during physical activity. You may also undergo an angiogram, in which dye is injected into the arteries to help doctors view blood flow through the heart. The extent of your CAD dictates the type of treatment, though the combination of lifestyle changes and medications is usually recommended. CAD patients are urged to quit smoking, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise regularly. They are usually prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins, and other medications such as beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and nitroglycerin, which can quickly open up coronary arteries. When CAD progresses to the point where severe blockage occurs, a patient may have a wire mesh tube called a stent placed in the artery at the location of the blockage. Stents help improve blood flow. If stenting is not an option, a coronary bypass graft (CABG) may be performed. CABG is an operation in which a blood vessel from another part of the body is attached to the heart so blood can travel around the blockage through the newly attached blood vessel. CAD is an increasingly common condition, but treatments continue to improve and healthy lifestyle choices can make CAD a disease that doesn’t have to dramatically diminish your quality of life.less