Coronary Artery Disease: Diagnosis, Causes and Treatment

CAD, or Coronary Artery disease, occurs when plaque accumulates in the coronary arteries. This makes the arteries narrow and blocks them. A clot may also hamper the blood flow. It might lead to serious health issues. Over time, it can trigger a heart attack. However, with statins and other treatments, things can get better.

Coronary arteries form a blood vessel network on the heart’s surface, providing oxygen. When these arteries narrow, the heart fails to receive adequate oxygen-rich blood. The problem intensifies when a person indulges in a physical activity.

But what causes it, and how do the heart specialists detect it? Continue reading to find out.

Symptoms

CAD makes it difficult for the heart to receive adequate arterial blood. It can trigger a host of symptoms.

The best cardiologists in India regard angina or chest discomfort as the top CAD symptom.

Most people refer to this discomfort as

1. Burning
2. Chest Pain
3. Heaviness
4. Squeezing
5. Tightness

Many tend to mistake this discomfort as indigestion or heartburn.

As per the coronary artery disease specialists, there are many other associated symptoms like:

1. Dizziness
2. Sweating
3. Shortness of breath
4. Pain in the shoulders
5. Arm pain

The symptoms intensify when there’s insufficient blood flow. Naturally, if the plaque build-up or the blockage reduces or cuts off the blood completely, the heart muscle starts dying if not immediately restored. It can result in a heart attack.

The best cardiologist in Hyderabad advise against ignoring these symptoms. When they last longer than five minutes, get instant medical help.

CAD Symptoms in Women

Besides the above-stated symptoms, CAD might induce other symptoms in women.

These include

1. Back pain
2. Nausea
3. Jaw pain
4. Vomiting
5. Shortness of breath sans any chest pain

Studies suggest that the risk for heart disease is higher in men than in women.

Decreased blood flow can

1. Make the heart weak
2. Trigger arrhythmia or abnormal heart rates
3. Make it difficult for the heart to pump blood as per its requirements

Causes

A plaque build-up of substances in and on the heart artery walls can result in CAD. These substances include:

1. Cholesterol
2. Fat

This condition is called atherosclerosis.

Plaque narrows the arteries and curtails blood flow. In some cases, the plaque bursts open, resulting in a blood clot.

A few common causes associated with CAD are

1. Insulin resistance or diabetes
2. Lack of exercise
3. High blood pressure
4. Tobacco use
5. Smoking

Risk Factors

Some risk factors can heighten the probability of an individual developing CAD. These include:

1. Obesity
2. Diabetes
3. Hypertension or High BP
4. High levels of bad cholesterol
5. Low levels of good cholesterol
6. Alcohol Misuse
7. Sedentary lifestyle
8. Lack of proper sleep
9. Chronic kidney issue
10. Improper nutrition
11. High-stress levels

Some CAD risk factors may not be lifestyle-related. These include:

1. Advancing age
2. Early menopause
3. Family history of CAD

Diagnosis

For the CAD diagnosis, the best cardiologists in Hyderabad will follow the below-listed steps:

1. Review the patient’s medical history
2. Conduct physical examination
3. Order some tests

Usually, the tests that doctors recommend for CAD diagnosis are

1. Electrocardiogram: To track the electrical signals via the heart and identify past attacks
2. Echocardiogram: An ultrasound is employed to create heart images and see how well the different things work in the heart.
3. Stress Test: Assesses heart stress during rest or exercise. Imaging or medication might be employed if exercise is not possible,
4. Heart CT Scan: To examine the calcium build-up in the arteries.
5. Cardiac Catheterization: A catheter injects a dye to see coronary arteries and look for blockages.

Treatment

To reduce the probability of stroke or heart attack in a person with CAD, it is vital to control and reduce the risk factors.

The line of treatment finalized by the doctor depends on multiple factors. These include:

1. Patient’s history
2. Current health condition
3. Overall well-being
4. Risk factors

For instance, the doctor may recommend medication therapy to manage high blood pressure or high cholesterol or give medications to control blood sugar in people with diabetes.

Medications are usually the first choice of treatment.

Some lifestyle changes can also help lower the risk of stroke and heart disease. These include

1. Exercising daily
2. Smoking cessation
3. Quitting tobacco
4. Eating healthy
5. Losing weight
6. Curtailing or avoiding alcohol

If medication and lifestyle changes do not help with the treatment, the doctor may advise a procedure to boost blood flow to the heart.

Here are some commonly recommended therapies

1. Enhanced External Counterpulsation to stimulate the new blood vessel growth and bypass the blockages naturally.
2. Graft Surgery to restore the blood flow to the heart through open chest surgery
3. Balloon Angioplasty to expand the blocked arteries and reduce plaque through a stent to keep the artery open.

Outlook

The outlook may be different for different people. The probability of preventing extensive damage is higher in people who have an early diagnosis, provided they make lifestyle changes and start treatment.

Regardless, for a good prognosis, the patients must start the treatments early. They must take the prescribed medications. If the risk is higher, consult a doctor for measures to lower the risk. Dr C Raghu, a renowned cardiologist in Hyderabad is one of the best coronary artery disease specialists. Do reach out to him for the necessary assistance.