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Blood tests

Electrocardiogram

Coronary calcium scan

CT coronary angiogram

Coronary catheterization and angiogram

Exercise stress test

Pharmacologic stress test

Nuclear stress test

Echo stress test

Patient Care at NYU Langone Health. (n.d.). Diagnosing coronary artery disease. https://nyulangone.org/conditions/coronary-artery-disease-in-adults/diagnosis

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At NYU Langone, specialists diagnose and manage coronary artery disease, which is estimated to affect more than 13 million Americans. The coronary arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood from the aorta, the body’s largest artery, to the heart’s four chambers. Coronary artery disease is caused by a buildup of plaque—a waxy substance composed of cholesterol, calcium, and fat—in these arteries. This is known as atherosclerosis, and it can lead to decreased blood flow and a heart attack.

The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain, which occurs when the heart does not receive enough blood. It may cause discomfort in the arms, back, jaw, neck, shoulders or abdomen, or both. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, cold sweats, lightheadedness, and nausea. Sometimes, angina can feel like indigestion.

Women may experience angina or heart attack symptoms differently than men. Although women may have chest discomfort, they are more likely to have jaw, neck, shoulder, and upper back pain; fatigue; and nausea. They may also have shortness of breath.

For some people, the first sign of coronary artery disease is a heart attack, which occurs when a coronary artery is completely blocked. Because there may be no symptoms until the late stages of plaque buildup, it is never too early to take steps to help prevent coronary artery disease and its related complications, such as heart attack and stroke.

Some people with coronary artery disease are diagnosed with ischemia, a reduction in the blood flow to the heart that occurs during exertion. It’s caused by narrowed arteries in the heart. NYU Langone is leading an international clinical trial to test the effectiveness of treatments for ischemia in people with coronary artery disease.

Diagnostic Tests

Your NYU Langone cardiologist takes a family and medical history to determine your risk for coronary artery disease. Next, he or she performs a physical exam, asks whether you smoke and how much you exercise, asks about your diet, and determines if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or unhealthy cholesterol levels. Your doctor also orders tests to help diagnose coronary artery disease.

Blood Tests

Your doctor may take a sample of blood to check the levels of different substances, including cholesterol; triglycerides, or fat in the blood, which can increase the risk of coronary artery disease; proteins that can indicate inflammation in the arteries; and glucose, or sugar, which can help determine if you have diabetes. Elevated levels of these substances can increase your risk for atherosclerosis.

Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram, or EKG, records electrical signals from your heart. It can show whether you have had or are having a heart attack. Small, sticky metal electrodes are placed on your chest, wrists, and ankles, and information about your heart is sent to a machine, which prints out a graph for the doctor to analyze.

Coronary Calcium Scan

Also called cardiac calcium scoring, this type of CT scan enables a doctor to check the walls of the arteries for calcium buildup, a sign of coronary artery disease. A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to create cross-sectional images of the body. If calcium is found in the coronary arteries, it may indicate coronary artery disease.

CT Coronary Angiogram

A CT coronary angiogram can reveal plaque buildup and identify blockages in the arteries, which can lead to a heart attack. Prior to the test, a contrast dye is injected into the arm to make the arteries more visible. The test typically takes 30 minutes to complete.

Coronary Catheterization and Angiogram

In this test, which is performed in the hospital, doctors use X-rays taken in real time to create images of the coronary arteries. They can help identify any blockages.

After you’re given local anesthesia and a sedative, your doctor guides a thin, hollow tube called a catheter through a tiny incision in the arm or groin to an artery that leads to the heart.

A cardiologist injects a contrast agent, or dye, into the catheter to highlight any blockages. This is called an angiogram. The physician performing the procedure explains what your arteries look like and what therapies, if any, are needed.

The procedure takes 30 to 40 minutes. Afterward, the catheter is removed and the incision is closed.

Doctors may also use a coronary catheterization and angiogram to assess your heart and arteries prior to surgery.

Stress Tests

Your doctor may order a stress test to check the function of your heart and arteries.

An abnormal result can indicate a reduction in blood flow to the heart during exertion—called ischemia—that’s typically caused by a blockage in the heart arteries. NYU Langone is currently involved in a clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of treatments for this condition. Your doctor can determine if you are eligible to participate.

There are several different types.

Exercise Stress Test

For people who are able to exercise, an exercise stress test helps your doctor determine whether your heart receives enough blood and oxygen during activity. It also reveals how the heart responds to exercise.

During this test, a doctor performs an electrocardiogram, or EKG, in which small electrodes are placed on your chest, wrists, and ankles. The electrodes send information about your heart’s rate and rhythm to a machine while you walk on a treadmill at increasing levels of difficulty. Your blood pressure is measured with a blood pressure cuff wrapped around your upper arm.

Pharmacologic Stress Test

If you are unable to complete the exercise stress test, your doctor may prescribe a pharmacologic stress test. In this test, medication is injected into an arm. It causes the heart’s blood vessels to dilate, or widen, depending on the medication your doctor chooses. If a person has blocked arteries, they won’t dilate, and blood is diverted to widened areas of the arteries. Other medications may be used to cause the heart to pump faster, simulating exercise.

A cardiac imaging test is used before and after the medication is given to show how the heart reacts under stress. This enables the doctor to identify coronary artery disease.

Nuclear Stress Test

In this test, which can be part of an exercise or pharmacologic stress test, a small amount of radioactive tracer is injected into a vein in the arm. Small electrodes are placed on your chest, wrists, and ankles to measure your heart rate. A device called a gamma camera detects the radiation released by the tracer and takes images of your heart from a machine above your body while you lie down. It produces images of the heart at rest.

Next, you have an exercise or pharmacologic stress test. After at least 20 minutes, you lie under the gamma camera for post-exercise imaging. The images are compared to allow your doctor to diagnose coronary artery disease.

Echo Stress Test

In this ultrasound test, also known as an echocardiogram, sound waves are used to create images of the heart. It can reveal how well the heart is pumping blood. Your doctor can identify any areas where blood isn’t flowing properly.

During the test, a technician rubs a warm gel on your chest and places a handheld device called a transducer on your skin. The transducer sends images of your heart to a computer monitor. No radiation is used.

This test can be done before and after an exercise or pharmacologic stress test.

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At NYU Langone, our specialists use a variety of tests, including imaging and stress tests, to diagnose coronary artery disease. Learn more.

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"Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women" (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.). Coronary artery disease happens when the arteries, which supply the heart muscles with blood, becomes hardened or narrowed (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.). Plaque can buildup on the inner walls. The build up consists of cholesterol and other material (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.).Therefore, the buildup causes the heart muscle to not get enough blood or oxygen needed to function, which can lead to a heart attack (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.). Coronary artery disease weakens the heart muscle and leads to heart failure (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.).

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Coronary artery disease | CAD. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/coronaryarterydisease.html

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Coronary Artery Disease | CAD | MedlinePlus

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Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It can lead to angina and heart attack. Read about symptoms and tests.

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Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease

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Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease

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Controlled risk factors:

High blood pressure

High blood cholesterol levels

Smoking

Diabetes

Overweight

Lack of physical activities

Unhealthy diets

Stress

Uncontrolled risk factors:

Age (older age increases risk)

Sex (men have a higher risk)

Family history

Race

Hajar, R. (2017). Risk factors for coronary artery disease: Historical perspectives. Heart views : the official journal of the Gulf Heart Association. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5686931/

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Your access to the NCBI website at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov has been temporarily blocked due to a possible misuse/abuse situation involving your site. This is not an indication of a security issue such as a virus or attack. It could be something as simple as a run away script or learning how to better use E-utilities, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK25497/, for more efficient work such that your work does not impact the ability of other researchers to also use our site. To restore access and understand how to better interact with our site to avoid this in the future, please have your system administrator contact info@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

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Treatments to help with Coronary Artery Disease:

Exercise

Eating healthy

Stop smoking

Medications to lower blood pressure or widen arteries

Blood-thinning medications

Statins, or cholesterol-lowering medications

Beta blockers, which slows heart rate and improve blood flow

Nitrates widen blood vessels

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors used to lower blood pressures

Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers

Calcium channel blockers decrease blood pressure

Diuretics

Procedures like coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass graft, and heart transplants

NHS. (n.d.). NHS choices. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronary-heart-disease/causes/

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Coronary heart disease (CHD) is usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits (atheroma) on the walls of the arteries around the heart (coronary arteries).
The build-up of atheroma makes the arteries narrower, restricting the flow of blood to the heart muscle. This process is called atherosclerosis.

Your risk of developing atherosclerosis is significantly increased if you:

Other risk factors for developing atherosclerosis include:

being obese or overweight

having a family history of CHD

Smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. Both nicotine and carbon monoxide (from the smoke) put a strain on the heart by making it work faster. They also increase your risk of blood clots.

Other chemicals in cigarette smoke can damage the lining of your coronary arteries, leading to furring of the arteries. Smoking significantly increases your risk of developing heart disease.

Read about how to quit smoking and stop smoking treatments.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) puts a strain on your heart and can lead to CHD.

Read more about high blood pressure.
Find further information on understanding your blood pressure on the Blood Pressure UK website.

High cholesterol

Cholesterol is a fat made by the liver from the saturated fat in your diet. It's essential for healthy cells, but too much in the blood can lead to CHD.

Read more about high cholesterol.

High lipoprotein (a)

Like cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), also known as LP(a), is a combination of fat and protein made by the liver. It's a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.

The level of LP(a) in your blood is inherited from your parents. It's not routinely measured, but screening is recommended for people with a moderate or high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Find more information about high lipoprotein (a) on the Heart UK website.

Lack of regular exercise

If you're inactive, fatty deposits can build up in your arteries.

If the arteries that supply blood to your heart become blocked, it can lead to a heart attack. If the arteries that supply blood to your brain are affected it can cause a stroke.

Read about the physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64.

Diabetes

A high blood sugar level may lead to diabetes, which can more than double your risk of developing CHD.

Diabetes can lead to CHD because it may cause the lining of blood vessels to become thicker, which can restrict blood flow.

Thrombosis

A thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein or artery.

If a thrombosis develops in a coronary artery it prevents the blood supply from reaching the heart muscle. This usually leads to a heart attack.

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Find out what causes coronary heart disease (CHD). It's usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits on the walls of the arteries around the heart (coronary arteries).

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A sensation of pain and pressure in your chest that often indicates the presence of coronary artery disease is called:

1. Angina

2. Ischemia

3. Heart failure

4. Atherosclerosis

https://study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-coronary-artery-disease-vocabulary.html

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1. When your heart muscle is damaged and cannot pump blood normally, this leads to shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, and fluid accumulation in the lungs and body tissues. What is this condition called?

1. Cardiac arrest

2. Heart failure

3. Angina

4. Ischemia

2. A sensation of pain and pressure in your chest that often indicates the presence of coronary artery disease is called:

1. Angina

2. Ischemia

3. Heart failure

4. Atherosclerosis

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About This Quiz & Worksheet

This quiz and corresponding worksheet will help you understand coronary artery disease. Practice questions examine the different heart conditions, symptoms, and characteristics of this condition.

Quiz & Worksheet Goals

Use this test to check your knowledge about:

Symptoms and signs of coronary artery disease

Various conditions associated with coronary artery disease

Facts about coronary artery disease in the United States

Skills Practiced

This assessment will help you practice these skills:

Reading comprehension - ensure that you draw the most important information from the related lesson on coronary artery disease

Critical thinking - apply relevant concepts to examine information about risk factors for coronary artery disease in a different light

Defining key concepts - ensure that you can accurately define myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, plaque, cholesterol, ischemia, angina, and hyperlipidemia

Information recall - access the knowledge you've gained regarding coronary artery disease

Additional Learning

Millions of Americans are affected by coronary artery disease. Review the lesson called Coronary Artery Disease Terminology for more knowledge about this condition. This lesson covers:

Defining coronary artery disease

Defining atherosclerosis

The formation of atherosclerotic plaque

What happens when a plaque ruptures

Risk factors for atherosclerosis

Explore our library of over 84,000 lessons

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Quiz & Worksheet - Coronary Artery Disease Vocabulary | Study.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Learn about this progressive disease in this interactive and printable...

# data[].attributes.body
When your heart muscle is damaged and cannot pump blood normally, this leads to shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, and fluid accumulation in the lungs and body tissues. What is this condition called?

1. Cardiac arrest

2. Heart failure

3. Angina

4. Ischemia

https://study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-coronary-artery-disease-vocabulary.html

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
1. When your heart muscle is damaged and cannot pump blood normally, this leads to shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, and fluid accumulation in the lungs and body tissues. What is this condition called?

1. Cardiac arrest

2. Heart failure

3. Angina

4. Ischemia

2. A sensation of pain and pressure in your chest that often indicates the presence of coronary artery disease is called:

1. Angina

2. Ischemia

3. Heart failure

4. Atherosclerosis

A Premium account gives you access to all lesson, practice exams, quizzes & worksheets

Access to all video lessons

Quizzes, practice exams & worksheets

Certificate of Completion

Create an account to get started Create Account

About This Quiz & Worksheet

This quiz and corresponding worksheet will help you understand coronary artery disease. Practice questions examine the different heart conditions, symptoms, and characteristics of this condition.

Quiz & Worksheet Goals

Use this test to check your knowledge about:

Symptoms and signs of coronary artery disease

Various conditions associated with coronary artery disease

Facts about coronary artery disease in the United States

Skills Practiced

This assessment will help you practice these skills:

Reading comprehension - ensure that you draw the most important information from the related lesson on coronary artery disease

Critical thinking - apply relevant concepts to examine information about risk factors for coronary artery disease in a different light

Defining key concepts - ensure that you can accurately define myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, plaque, cholesterol, ischemia, angina, and hyperlipidemia

Information recall - access the knowledge you've gained regarding coronary artery disease

Additional Learning

Millions of Americans are affected by coronary artery disease. Review the lesson called Coronary Artery Disease Terminology for more knowledge about this condition. This lesson covers:

Defining coronary artery disease

Defining atherosclerosis

The formation of atherosclerotic plaque

What happens when a plaque ruptures

Risk factors for atherosclerosis

Explore our library of over 84,000 lessons

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Quiz & Worksheet - Coronary Artery Disease Vocabulary | Study.com

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Learn about this progressive disease in this interactive and printable...

# data[].attributes.body
https://quizlet.com/48080711/coronary-artery-disease-flash-cards/

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disease of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, that causes decreased blood flow to the heart muscle.A

Terms in this set (37)

Coronary artery disease

A disease of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, that causes decreased blood flow to the heart muscle.

coronary arteries

There are two main coronary arteries that branch off from the aorta. The left and the right.

The left coronary artery

Divides into 2 branches. The circumflex artery, and the left anterior descending artery.

The right coronary artery

Supplies blood to the right atrium, right ventricle, bottom portion of the left ventricle, and back of the septum.

Reasons why this disease happens

Smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or insulin resistance, radiation therapy to the chest, as used for certain types of cancer, sedentary lifestyle.

What happens when your have Coronary artery disease

Your arteries will start to narrow and less blood will be able to flow to your heart.

People more likely to get the disease

Older age, over age 45 for men, and 55 for women. Family history of early heart disease.

Symptoms of Coronary artery disease

Shortness of breath, Palpitation's, a faster heartbeat, weakness or dizziness, nausea, sweating, heart failure, arrhythmia. But the most common symptom of this disease would be angina, or a feeling that most likely feels like heartburn.

What happens when you feel shortness of breath

shortness of breath is when you have difficulty breathing, (the term for this is dyspnea. It may come on slowly or suddenly all at once.

What happens when you feel palpitations

Heart palpitations is when your heart has a fast, or irregular heart beat. This may be caused by the high blood pressure or doing an physical activity such as working out, it should go away after your done with your physical activity.

What angina feels like

Angina is a server chest pain, it can also be known as heartburn.

Heart failure

Heart failure is where your heart cant pump enough blood to meet your body's needs. The most common signs of heart failure are shortness of breath swelling in the ankles, feet, legs, stomach, and veins in the neck.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmia is the problem with the rhythm or the rate of the heartbeat. This feeling is described as a fluttering of the chest.

The diagnostic tests, and labs used to determine this disease

Electrocardiogram, Echocardiogram, Stress Test, Cardiac Catheterization or angiogram, Heart Scan, Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA).

Electrocardiogram

Records Electrical signals as they travel through the heart.

Echocardiogram

Uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. It determines all parts of the heart wall are contributing normally to your hearts pumping activity.

Stress test

A stress test is when your doctor will ask you to either run on a treadmill or ride on a bike to determine how good your heart can actually handle the stress that you are putting on it.

Cardiac Catheterization or Angiogram

This is used to view blood flow through the heart, your doctor may inject a special dye into your arteries.

Heart Scan

It helps your doctor see calcium deposits in your arteries that can narrow your arteries.

Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA)

This procedure used MRI technology, often combined with an injected contrast dye, to check for areas of narrowing blockages even thought the details might not be as clear.

Treatments/Medical treatments

Stop smoking, or stay away from second hand smoke, eat healthy, get regular exercise, getting to stay at a healthy weight.

Medicines you can take to help

Aspirin or other antiplatelet, ACE inhibiter or a beta blocker, statin, nitroglycerin.

Aspirin or other antiplatelet

To help prevent a heart attack.

ACE inhibiter or a Beta Blocker

To help lower blood pressure and reduce the workload on your heart.

Statin

To help lower cholesterol.

Nitroglycerin

Angina medicine.

Dieting right

You should start your day out with grain, and fruit for breakfast. Make grains and vegetables as your main dishes such as lunch and dinner. Cook many things with garlic. Drink fat free or one percent milk.

How your diet can help?

When you have a heart problem your diet is the most important thing that you have to control and you must keep up with how much carbs you intake, and your cholesterol level.

Ways to prevent this disease

Prevention means trying to help prevent people who have not already had a heart attack, make sure that they do not have one or do not start to have blood vessel or heart problems.

Others ways to prevent this

Do not start smoking, and if you already smoke then stop. Lower your blood level of total cholesterol. Raise your level of good cholesterol. control your diabetes. Maintain a healthy body weight. Make sure you get enough exercise.

Men Have a greater risk?

Yes, men do have a greater risk in getting this disease and having a heart attack sooner than women. Women start to have more heart problems after they go through menopause.

Med terms that go with this disease

Heart attack, chest pain, high blood cholesterol, plaque build up, smoking.

Heart attack

A heart attack is when the heart isn't getting enough oxygen to it so that it can pump blood throughout the body and it goes into shock and stops pumping.

Chest pain (angina)

Chest pain is described as a pressure on your chest like someone is sitting one you, and heartburn is a really good described thing as to what it feels like.

High blood cholesterol

High cholesterol is described as basically high blood pressure.

Plaque buildup

This is the plaque building up in the arteries in your heart walls.

Smoking

Smoking is a very common term in this disease because many people that get this disease get it or have it from either smoking, or being around people that smoke and getting the second hand smoke.

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coronary artery disease Flashcards | Quizlet

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disease of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart, that causes decreased blood flow to the heart muscle.A

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Coronary Artery Disease symptoms, causes, and risks

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Coronary Artery Disease symptoms, causes, and risks

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Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (25 May 2022). Coronary artery disease. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350613#:~:text=Coronary%20artery%20disease%20is%20a,cause%20of%20coronary%20artery%20disease

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Overview

Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition. The major blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) struggle to send enough blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Cholesterol deposits (plaques) in the heart arteries and inflammation are usually the cause of coronary artery disease.

Signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease occur when the heart doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. If you have coronary artery disease, reduced blood flow to the heart can cause chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath. A complete blockage of blood flow can cause a heart attack.

Coronary artery disease often develops over decades. Symptoms may go unnoticed until a significant blockage causes problems or a heart attack occurs. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease may also be called coronary heart disease.

What is coronary artery disease? A Mayo Clinic cardiologist explains.

Stephen Kopecky, M.D., talks about the risk factors, symptoms and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Learn how lifestyle changes can lower your risk.

I'm Dr. Stephen Kopecky, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic. In this video, we'll cover the basics of coronary artery disease. What is it? Who gets it? The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Whether you're looking for answers for yourself or someone you love, we're here to give you the best information available. Coronary artery disease, also called CAD, is a condition that affects your heart. It is the most common heart disease in the United States. CAD happens when coronary arteries struggle to supply the heart with enough blood, oxygen and nutrients. Cholesterol deposits, or plaques, are almost always to blame. These buildups narrow your arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath or even a heart attack. CAD typically takes a long time to develop. So often, patients don't know that they have it until there's a problem. But there are ways to prevent coronary artery disease, and ways to know if you're at risk and ways to treat it.

Anyone can develop CAD. It begins when fats, cholesterols and other substances gather along the walls of your arteries. This process is called atherosclerosis. It's typically no cause for concern. However, too much buildup can lead to a blockage, obstructing blood flow. There are a number of risk factors, common red flags, that can contribute to this and ultimately lead to coronary artery disease. First, getting older can mean more damaged and narrowed arteries. Second, men are generally at a greater risk. But the risk for women increases after menopause. Existing health conditions matter, too. High blood pressure can thicken your arteries, narrowing your blood flow. High cholesterol levels can increase the rate of plaque buildup. Diabetes is also associated with higher risk, as is being overweight. Your lifestyle plays a large role as well. Physical inactivity, long periods of unrelieved stress in your life, an unhealthy diet and smoking can all increase your risk. And finally, family history. If a close relative was diagnosed at an early age with heart disease, you're at a greater risk. All these factors together can paint a picture of your risk for developing CAD.

When coronary arteries become narrow, the heart doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Remember, unlike most pumps, the heart has to pump its own energy supply. It's working harder with less. And you may begin to notice these signs and symptoms of pressure or tightness in your chest. This pain is called angina. It may feel like somebody is standing on your chest. When your heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you might develop shortness of breath or extreme fatigue during activities. And if an artery becomes totally blocked, it leads to a heart attack. Classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing, substernal chest pain, pain in your shoulders or arms, shortness of breath, and sweating. However, many heart attacks have minimal or no symptoms and are found later during routine testing.

Diagnosing CAD starts by talking to your doctor. They'll be able to look at your medical history, do a physical exam and order routine blood work. Depending on that, they may suggest one or more of the following tests. An electrocardiogram, or ECG, an echocardiogram, or soundwave test of the heart, stress test, cardiac catheterization and angiogram, or a cardiac CT scan.

Treating coronary artery disease usually means making changes to your lifestyle. This might be eating healthier foods, exercising regularly, losing excess weight, reducing stress or quitting smoking. The good news is these changes can do a lot to improve your outlook. Living a healthier life translates to having healthier arteries. When necessary, treatment could involve drugs like aspirin, cholesterol-modifying medications, beta-blockers, or certain medical procedures like angioplasty or coronary artery bypass surgery.

Discovering you have coronary artery disease can be overwhelming. But be encouraged. There are things you can do to manage and live with this condition. Reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, quitting tobacco, eating healthier, exercising and managing your stress can make a world of difference. Better heart health starts by educating yourself. So don't be afraid to seek out information and ask your doctors about coronary artery disease. If you'd like to learn even more about this condition, watch our other related videos or visit Mayoclinic.org. We wish you well.

Symptoms

Symptoms may go unrecognized at first, or they may only occur when the heart is beating hard like during exercise. As the coronary arteries continue to narrow, less and less blood gets to the heart and symptoms can become more severe or frequent.

Coronary artery disease signs and symptoms can include:

Chest pain (angina). You may feel pressure or tightness in your chest. Some people say it feels like someone is standing on their chest. The chest pain usually occurs on the middle or left side of the chest. Activity or strong emotions can trigger angina. The pain usually goes away within minutes after the triggering event ends. In some people, especially women, the pain may be brief or sharp and felt in the neck, arm or back.

Shortness of breath. You may feel like you can't catch your breath.

Fatigue. If the heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you may feel unusually tired.

Heart attack. A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. The classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing chest pain or pressure, shoulder or arm pain, shortness of breath, and sweating. Women may have less typical symptoms, such as neck or jaw pain, nausea and fatigue. Some heart attacks don't cause any noticeable signs or symptoms.

When to see a doctor

If you think you're having a heart attack, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. If you don't have access to emergency medical services, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only as a last option.

Smoking or having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity or a strong family history of heart disease makes you more likely to get coronary artery disease. If you're at high risk of coronary artery disease, talk to your health care provider. You may need tests to check for narrowed arteries and coronary artery disease.

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Causes

Coronary artery disease starts when fats, cholesterols and other substances collect on the inner walls of the heart arteries. This condition is called atherosclerosis. The buildup is called plaque. Plaque can cause the arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.

Besides high cholesterol, damage to the coronary arteries may be caused by:

Diabetes or insulin resistance

High blood pressure

Not getting enough exercise (sedentary lifestyle)

Smoking or tobacco use

Risk factors

Coronary artery disease is common. Age, genetics, other health conditions and lifestyle choices can affect the health of the heart arteries.

Coronary artery disease risk factors include:

Age. Getting older increases the risk of damaged and narrowed arteries.

Sex. Men are generally at greater risk of coronary artery disease. However, the risk for women increases after menopause.

Family history. A family history of heart disease makes you more likely to get coronary artery disease. This is especially true if a close relative (parent, sibling) developed heart disease at an early age. The risk is highest if your father or a brother had heart disease before age 55 or if your mother or a sister developed it before age 65.

Smoking. If you smoke, quit. Smoking is bad for heart health. People who smoke have a significantly increased risk of heart disease. Breathing in secondhand smoke also increases the risk.

High blood pressure. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can make arteries hard and stiff (arterial stiffness). The coronary arteries may become narrow, slowing blood flow.

High cholesterol. Too much bad cholesterol in the blood can increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Bad cholesterol is called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Not enough good cholesterol - called high-density lipoprotein (HDL) - also leads to atherosclerosis.

Diabetes. Diabetes increases the risk of coronary artery disease. Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease share some risk factors, such as obesity and high blood pressure.

Overweight or obesity. Excess body weight is bad for overall health. Obesity can lead to type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Ask your health care provider what a healthy weight is for you.

Chronic kidney disease. Having long-term kidney disease increases the risk of coronary artery disease.

Not getting enough exercise. Physical activity is important for good health. A lack of exercise (sedentary lifestyle) is linked to coronary artery disease and some of its risk factors.

A lot of stress. Emotional stress may damage the arteries and worsen other risk factors for coronary artery disease.

Unhealthy diet. Eating foods with a lot of saturated fat, trans fat, salt and sugar can increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

Alcohol use. Heavy alcohol use can lead to heart muscle damage. It can also worsen other risk factors of coronary artery disease.

Amount of sleep. Too little and too much sleep have both been linked to an increased risk of heart disease.

Risk factors often occur together. One risk factor may trigger another.

When grouped together, certain risk factors make you even more likely to develop coronary artery disease. For example, metabolic syndrome - a cluster of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist and high triglyceride levels - increases the risk of coronary artery disease.

Sometimes coronary artery disease develops without any classic risk factors. Other possible risk factors for coronary artery disease may include:

Breathing pauses during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea). This condition causes breathing to stop and start during sleep. It can cause sudden drops in blood oxygen levels. The heart must work harder. Blood pressure goes up.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). This protein appears in higher-than-usual amounts when there's inflammation somewhere in the body. High hs-CRP levels may be a risk factor for heart disease. It's thought that as coronary arteries narrow, the level of hs-CRP in the blood goes up.

High triglycerides. This is a type of fat (lipid) in the blood. High levels may raise the risk of coronary artery disease, especially for women.

Homocysteine. Homocysteine is an amino acid the body uses to make protein and to build and maintain tissue. But high levels of homocysteine may increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

Preeclampsia. This pregnancy complication causes high blood pressure and increased protein in the urine. It can lead to a higher risk of heart disease later in life.

Other pregnancy complications. Diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy are also known risk factors for coronary artery disease.

Certain autoimmune diseases. People who have conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus (and other inflammatory conditions) have an increased risk of atherosclerosis.

Complications

Coronary artery disease can lead to:

Chest pain (angina). When the coronary arteries narrow, the heart may not get enough blood when it needs it most - like when exercising. This can cause chest pain (angina) or shortness of breath.

Heart attack. A heart attack can happen if a cholesterol plaque breaks open and causes a blood clot to form. A clot can block blood flow. The lack of blood can damage the heart muscle. The amount of damage depends in part on how quickly you are treated.

Heart failure. Narrowed arteries in the heart or high blood pressure can slowly make the heart weak or stiff so it's harder to pump blood. Heart failure is when the heart doesn't pump blood as it should.

Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). Not enough blood to the heart can alter normal heart signaling, causing irregular heartbeats.

Prevention

The same lifestyle habits used to help treat coronary artery disease can also help prevent it. A healthy lifestyle can help keep the arteries strong and clear of plaque. To improve heart health, follow these tips:

Quit smoking.

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Exercise often.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Eat a low-fat, low-salt diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Reduce and manage stress.

Coronary artery disease care at Mayo Clinic

Show references

1. Ferri FF. Coronary artery disease. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2022. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 8, 2022.

2. Coronary heart disease. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/coronary-heart-disease. March 8, 2022.

3. Usatine RP, et al., eds. Coronary artery disease. In: Color Atlas and Synopsis of Heart Failure. McGraw Hill; 2019.

4. Wilson PWF. Overview of the possible risk factors for cardiovascular disease. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 8, 2022.

5. Masjedi MS, et al. Effects of flaxseed on blood lipids in healthy and dyslipidemic subjects: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Current Problems in Cardiology. 2021; doi:10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2021.100931.

6. Riaz H, et al. Association between obesity and cardiovascular outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of mendelian randomization studies. JAMA Network Open. 2018; doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3788.

7. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. 2nd ed. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/our-work/physical-activity/current-guidelines. Accessed March 8, 2022.

8. Your guide to lowering your cholesterol with therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC). National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/all-publications-and-resources/your-guide-lowering-cholesterol-therapeutic-lifestyle. Accessed March 24, 2022.

9. Rethinking drinking. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/. Accessed March 24, 2022.

10. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://health.gov/our-work/food-nutrition/2015-2020-dietary-guidelines/guidelines. Accessed March 24, 2022.

11. Omega-3 supplements: In depth. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/omega3-supplements-in-depth. Accessed March 8, 2022.

12. Mankad R (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. April 28, 2020.

13. Siscovick DS, et al. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (fish oil) supplementation and the prevention of clinical cardiovascular disease: A science advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017; doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000482.

14. Barley. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed March 24, 2022.

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16. Braswell-Pickering EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Feb. 10, 2022.

17. Liao KP. Coronary artery disease in rheumatoid arthritis: Pathogenesis, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic implications. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 8, 2022.

18. What is coronary heart disease? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/coronary-heart-disease Accessed March 8, 2022.

19. Kannam JP, et al. Chronic coronary syndrome: Overview of care. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 8, 2022.

20. Arnett DK, et al. 2019 ACC/AHA guideline on the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019; doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000678.

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Coronary artery disease - Symptoms and causes

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Coronary artery disease is a common heart condition. The major blood vessels that supply the heart (coronary arteries) struggle to send enough blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle. Cholesterol deposits (plaques) in the heart arteries and inflammation are usually the cause of coronary artery disease.

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Typically, the first sign of coronary artery disease is a heart attack. The symptoms of a heart attack include

Chest pain or discomfort

Weakness, light-headedness, nausea, or a cold sweat

Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder

Shortness of breath

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (19 July 2021). Coronary artery disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/coronary_ad.htm

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. It is sometimes called coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease.

For some people, the first sign of CAD is a heart attack. You and your health care team may be able to help reduce your risk for CAD.

What causes coronary artery disease?

CAD is caused by plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart (called coronary arteries) and other parts of the body.

Plaque is made up of deposits of cholesterol and other substances in the artery. Plaque buildup causes the inside of the arteries to narrow over time, which can partially or totally block the blood flow. This process is called atherosclerosis.

What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease?

Angina, or chest pain and discomfort, is the most common symptom of CAD. Angina can happen when too much plaque builds up inside arteries, causing them to narrow. Narrowed arteries can cause chest pain because they can block blood flow to your heart muscle and the rest of your body.

For many people, the first clue that they have CAD is a heart attack. Symptoms of heart attack include

Chest pain or discomfort (angina)

Weakness, light-headedness, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), or a cold sweat

Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder

Shortness of breath

Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle. This may lead to heart failure, a serious condition where the heart can't pump blood the way it should.

What are the risks for coronary artery disease?

Overweight, physical inactivity, unhealthy eating, and smoking tobacco are risk factors for CAD. A family history of heart disease also increases your risk for CAD, especially a family history of having heart disease at an early age (50 or younger).

To find out your risk for CAD, your health care team may measure your blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

Learn more about heart disease risk factors.

How is coronary artery disease diagnosed?

If you're at high risk for heart disease or already have symptoms, your doctor can use several tests to diagnose CAD.

ECG or EKG (electrocardiogram)

Measures the electrical activity, rate, and regularity of your heartbeat.

Echocardiogram

Uses ultrasound (special sound wave) to create a picture of the heart.

Exercise stress test

Measures your heart rate while you walk on a treadmill. This helps to determine how well your heart is working when it has to pump more blood.

Chest X-ray

Uses x-rays to create a picture of the heart, lungs, and other organs in the chest.

Cardiac catheterization

Checks the inside of your arteries for blockage by inserting a thin, flexible tube through an artery in the groin, arm, or neck to reach the heart. Health care professionals can measure blood pressure within the heart and the strength of blood flow through the heart's chambers as well as collect blood samples from the heart or inject dye into the arteries of the heart (coronary arteries).

Coronary angiogram

Monitors blockage and flow of blood through the coronary arteries. Uses X-rays to detect dye injected via cardiac catheterization.

Coronary artery calcium scan

A computed tomography (CT) scan that looks in the coronary arteries for calcium buildup and plaque.

What is cardiac rehabilitation and recovery?

Cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is an important program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problem that required surgery or medical care. In these people, cardiac rehab can help improve quality of life and can help prevent another cardiac event. Cardiac rehab is a supervised program that includes

Physical activity

Education about healthy living, including healthy eating, taking medicine as prescribed, and ways to help you quit smoking

Counseling to find ways to relieve stress and improve mental health

A team of people may help you through cardiac rehab, including your health care team, exercise and nutrition specialists, physical therapists, and counselors or mental health professionals.

How can I be healthier if I have coronary artery disease?

If you have CAD, your health care team may suggest the following steps to help lower your risk for heart attack or worsening heart disease:

Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthier (lower sodium, lower fat) diet, increasing physical activity, reaching a healthy weight, and quitting smoking

Medicines to treat risk factors for CAD, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat

Surgical procedures to help restore blood flow to the heart

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Learn what causes coronary artery disease (CAD) and how it is diagnosed. Get the facts from the CDC.

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Here is a great video describing in detail what Coronary Artery Disease is

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Here is a great video describing in detail what Coronary Artery Disease is

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Best Artery Cleansing Foods | Best Health and Beauty Tips | Education

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What is coronary artery disease? | Circulatory System and Disease | NCLEX-RN | Khan Academy

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Which blood vessels in the body can be affected by atherosclerosis?

1. Only the coronary arteries

2. Only veins

3. Arteries in both the heart and the brain

4. Any blood vessels in the body can be affected by atherosclerosis

https://study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-coronary-artery-disease-vocabulary.html

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1. When your heart muscle is damaged and cannot pump blood normally, this leads to shortness of breath, extreme tiredness, and fluid accumulation in the lungs and body tissues. What is this condition called?

1. Cardiac arrest

2. Heart failure

3. Angina

4. Ischemia

2. A sensation of pain and pressure in your chest that often indicates the presence of coronary artery disease is called:

1. Angina

2. Ischemia

3. Heart failure

4. Atherosclerosis

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About This Quiz & Worksheet

This quiz and corresponding worksheet will help you understand coronary artery disease. Practice questions examine the different heart conditions, symptoms, and characteristics of this condition.

Quiz & Worksheet Goals

Use this test to check your knowledge about:

Symptoms and signs of coronary artery disease

Various conditions associated with coronary artery disease

Facts about coronary artery disease in the United States

Skills Practiced

This assessment will help you practice these skills:

Reading comprehension - ensure that you draw the most important information from the related lesson on coronary artery disease

Critical thinking - apply relevant concepts to examine information about risk factors for coronary artery disease in a different light

Defining key concepts - ensure that you can accurately define myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, plaque, cholesterol, ischemia, angina, and hyperlipidemia

Information recall - access the knowledge you've gained regarding coronary artery disease

Additional Learning

Millions of Americans are affected by coronary artery disease. Review the lesson called Coronary Artery Disease Terminology for more knowledge about this condition. This lesson covers:

Defining coronary artery disease

Defining atherosclerosis

The formation of atherosclerotic plaque

What happens when a plaque ruptures

Risk factors for atherosclerosis

Explore our library of over 84,000 lessons

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Quiz & Worksheet - Coronary Artery Disease Vocabulary | Study.com

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Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Learn about this progressive disease in this interactive and printable...

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​In summary, CAD is the most common form of heart disease, as well as the leading cause of death within the United State (U.S. National Library of Medicine, n.d.). For many individuals, CAD can be prevented through lifestyle interventions such as increased exercises, healthy eating, and avoidance of certain substances that are linked to a higher risk of CAD (Hajar, 2017). However, there are still some uncontrollable risk factors including age, sex, family history, and race (Hajar, 2017). Numerous tests may be utilized in order to identify the presence of CAD, and if CAD is identified it may be treated through a combination of various pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Some of these interventions include the use of medication as well as the performance of surgery to address underlying issues. The success of treatment is dependent upon a number of factors such as overall fitness and the presence of conditions other than CAD. It is important to emphasize that the best means of addressing CAD is through preventative strategies that focus on creating a lifestyle that is healthy and sustainable.

References

Hajar, R. (2017). Risk factors for coronary artery disease: Historical perspectives. Heart views : the official journal of the Gulf HeartAssociation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5686931/

U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Coronary artery disease | CAD. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/coronaryarterydisease.html

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Improvement of the Accuracy in the Identification of Coronary Artery Disease Combining Heart Sound Features

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Improvement of the Accuracy in the Identification of Coronary Artery Disease Combining Heart Sound Features

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Li, H., Zhang, G., Shao, G., Wang, A., Gu, Y., Tian, Z., Zhang, Q., & Shi, P. (2022). Improvement of the accuracy in the identification of coronary artery disease combining heart sound features. BioMed Research International, 1–16. https://doi-org.lincolnu.idm.oclc.org/10.1155/2022/3058835