What is Coronary Artery Disease? Its Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a prevalent and serious heart condition that blocks the flow of blood to the cardiac muscle, thus resulting in increased cases of heart attacks as well as cardiovascular complications worldwide.

In patients with CAD, the oxygen-carrying blood is blocked from reaching the heart, leading to signs such as chest angina and dyspnea that may progress into congestive cardiac failure.

Knowing how to prevent, detect, and cure this illness will help control it and increase people’s well-being. In this article, we discuss the leading causes of coronary heart problems, symptoms, best treatment options, and more.

What is Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the coronary arteries become narrow or blocked. The coronary arteries are the main vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood, making them essential for the normal functioning of the heart.

Plaque is formed when cholesterol, fats, and other components accumulate in the blood vessels; if this happens in the arteries, it is referred to as coronary artery disease.

Angina (chest pain) or heart attacks may arise when atherosclerosis progressively narrows down or completely obstructs the passage of blood in the arteries.

Often, the terms CAD and heart disease are used synonymously. However, CAD is a term used to describe illnesses occurring in coronary arteries, whereas heart diseases refer to conditions affecting the heart’s muscles, valves, or electrical conduction system or disturbing electrical functions in the human heart.

In most cases, CAD goes hand-in-hand with other cardiovascular issues, complicating diagnosis and treatment.

Coronary Artery Disease Types

There are different types of coronary artery disease. The treatment for these types varies depending on individual case parameters.

1. Stable Ischemic Heart Disease (SIHD): Stable ischemic heart disease is a milder type of CAD, where blood flow to the heart is consistently reduced but usually stable.

People may get chest pain if they make any physical effort or experience emotional pressure. However, such patients usually feel better after a short rest or having taken drugs.

Although SIHD can be controlled most of the time, there is a need for continuous prevention and risk minimisation efforts.

2. Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS): ACS is a condition that causes a sudden decrease in blood supply to the heart, which usually results in heart attacks or very serious angina.

Unstable angina and myocardial infarction are part of this condition, the former being characterised by unpredictable pain in the chest even when one is resting, while the latter is described as a form of heart attack that requires immediate medical attention.

Immediate medical attention is critical in cases of ACS to restore blood flow and minimise heart muscle damage.

Causes of Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease is caused by a mixture of lifestyle, genetic, and health factors. Here are some of the main causes and risk factors:

Atherosclerosis: CAD and atherosclerosis are mainly caused by the deposition of cholesterol and related substances within the arterial tunica intima, leading to plaque formation. This buildup restricts blood flow, hardens arteries, and makes them prone to rupture, which can lead to blood clots and heart attacks

Risk Factors:

• Lifestyle: A diet with a lot of fat, smoking, and laziness are some of the things that can make someone have a higher chance of getting CAD. Smoking is especially harmful as it causes injuries to blood vessel walls, thereby promoting atherosclerosis.
• Genetics: If your family has CAD or other heart problems, you are more likely to develop the disease. Genes may affect how the body uses cholesterol and some other things that increase the chance of having CAD, like high blood pressure.
• Other Health Conditions: Diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia greatly promote the development of CAD. They put more pressure on the heart and speed up the process by which plaques develop and grow in the arteries, thus worsening CAD.

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease symptoms can vary in severity and frequency depending on the level of arterial blockage. It is important to identify these signs of illness on time so that medical help can be sought without delay. Some of the usual coronary artery disease symptoms are:

• Chest Pain or Discomfort (Angina): Angina is a common symptom that is usually felt as tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest. The pain may spread to other parts like the arms, neck, back, and jaws, and it’s mostly triggered by exercise or emotional stress.
• Shortness of Breath: If the heart does not get an adequate blood supply, it finds it difficult to pump properly, resulting in shortness of breath on mild activity or, at times, at rest if the condition is serious.
• Fatigue: Low levels of oxygen in the blood can make one feel a general feeling of fatigue, particularly when doing exercises.
• Pain in Arms, Neck, Jaw, or Back: At times, the pain may not be experienced in the chest but spreads across the upper torso, causing signs that can be easily ignored or misunderstood.

Here is a video where one of our specialists discusses the warning signs of heart disease:

Coronary artery disease symptoms should be monitored, and medical help should be sought if they occur often or get worse because this could mean that acute coronary syndrome is developing.

Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease

To know how much the arteries are blocked, it is important to carry out a series of examinations and assessments for patients with coronary artery disease. Some of the common tests carried out for this purpose are:

• Medical History and Physical Examination: A doctor will examine signs of illness, medical history, and risk factors such as family history, lifestyle habits, and other health conditions.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test measures the heart’s electrical activity and can show if there has been a heart attack before or if irregularities suggest reduced blood flow to the heart.
• Stress Test: A stress test checks if the heart works properly during exercise or when given some drugs. It helps to locate regions of low blood flow.
• Coronary Angiography: Coronary angiography is widely believed to be the best way of diagnosing CAD. This procedure involves the use of a contrast dye and X-rays to see if any areas in the coronary arteries are blocked and need medical attention.

Treatment Options for Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease treatment is personalised to cater to the individual care needs of each patient. Normally, treatment involves changing one’s lifestyle, medications, and surgical procedures.

1. Lifestyle Changes:

• Healthy Diet: Eating food that does not contain a lot of fat, sugar, and salt is good for regulating cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Eating fruits, vegetables, cereals, and low-fat meat is recommended to improve overall heart health.
• Exercise: Engaging in exercises such as walking, swimming, and cycling can improve the flow of blood, help in losing weight, and make the heart stronger.
• Quit Smoking: Smoking speeds up atherosclerosis and increases blood clot risks. It is important to stop smoking so that CAD does not progress and the general health of the heart and blood vessels improves.

2. Medications:

• Cholesterol-Lowering Medications: The drugs that are normally given to lower the levels of LDL cholesterol also reduce atherosclerosis by slowing endothelial dysfunction.
• Antiplatelet Agents: Aspirin and other blood-thinning medications help prevent blood clots, reducing the risk of heart attacks.
• Blood Pressure Medications: Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers are commonly employed to decrease hypertension and cardiac afterload, thus diminishing arterial stress.

3. Surgical Procedures:

• Angioplasty and Stent Placement: A small balloon is used to open up arteries that have become too narrow. Then, a stent is inserted to keep the artery open.

Watch this video where one of our specialists discusses how angioplasty helps in managing heart diseases:

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): CABG is the process of taking a blood vessel from another part of the body and using it to create a detour around the blocked artery, allowing blood to flow around the blockage. CABG, which is also referred to as bypass surgery, is usually advised for advanced CAD.

Here is a video where one of our heart specialists dispels various misconceptions about heart surgery:

Prevention Tips for Coronary Artery Disease

Although CAD is controllable, prevention is better. Here are some effective strategies:

• Eat a Balanced Diet: Eating a diet that keeps the heart healthy and has lots of fibre, low levels of processed sugar and saturated fats, as well as lean proteins, can greatly cut down on the risk of CAD.
• Stay Active: Try to have 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. Staying active is crucial for optimum functioning of the heart. It also helps in controlling blood pressure and reducing cholesterol levels.
• Maintain Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can help manage cholesterol levels and blood pressure and thereby reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
• Refrain from Smoking: Refraining from tobacco smoking helps reduce plaque formation in the blood vessels and helps reduce the CAD risk.
• Manage Stress Effectively: Effective stress management is crucial to regulating blood pressure. Adopting healthy stress management techniques can help prevent CAD.
• Limit Alcohol Intake: Too much alcohol can cause hypertension and obesity, both of which heighten the risk of CAD.
• Regular Health Screenings: Periodic blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checks can identify potential risk factors early, allowing for preventive measures.

At HCG Hospitals, we have customised heart health screening packages that comprise various tests that examine the heart’s functioning. Based on the observations from these tests, individuals can consult a heart specialist for further evaluation.

Explore Heart Health Packages at HCG Here: Preventive Heart Checkup – HCG Hospitals

Regular monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar may identify potential risk factors early, allowing for the adoption of appropriate preventive measures or seeking necessary treatment interventions.

Conclusion

Coronary artery disease is a common yet preventable heart condition. With early recognition of coronary artery disease symptoms and timely treatment, the impact of CAD can be managed effectively. People suffering from CAD can improve their health by adopting a healthier lifestyle, going for regular medical check-ups, and seeking medical help whenever necessary. This is one of the most common illnesses today, but it can easily be prevented by knowing about it and taking precautions. When you notice signs of coronary heart disease, remember to seek medical advice to safeguard your health.

HCG Hospitals is one of the best multispeciality hospitals in India, offering advanced cardiac care facilities and expertise. With a dedicated cardiac care department led by some of the best cardiologists in India, we provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services to help patients achieve optimal heart health. Our hospitals in Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Hubli serve as centres of excellence for 360-degree cardiac care.