Coronary Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Coronary artery disease occurs when the major blood vessels that are directly connected to the heart become damaged or diseased. They supply oxygen, blood and nutrients to our heart.

• Coronary artery disease is also known as coronary heart disease (CHD) and ischemic heart disease (IHD).
• This is the most common type of cardiovascular disease found in today’s population.
• Cholesterol-containing plaques are present in our coronary arteries.
• Plaque can narrow these arteries, decreasing the flow of blood to our hearts. 
• It will lead to the condition of atherosclerosis, which in turn leads to blockages.
• The inflammation will finally lead to coronary artery disease. 
• Eventually, the reduced blood flow leads to chest pain, shortness of breath, or other CAD signs and symptoms. 

Key Terms: Coronary Artery Disease, Heart, Cardiovascular Disease, Cholesterol, Coronary Arteries, Heart Disease, Oxygen, Blood, Diabetes, Blood Pressure, Nausea

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What is Coronary Artery Disease ?

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Coronary artery disease, which is also called coronary heart disease, is the most common form of heart disease that is found mostly in Americans over the age of 20. 

• Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis, i.e., plaque build-up inside the arteries. 
• It is most often caused by the build-up of plaque inside the lining of larger coronary arteries. 
• The coronary arteries are the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. 
• The plaque formed in these coronary arteries tends to block the flow of blood, which in turn leads to a heart attack.
• Chest pain and eating unhealthy are the most common symptoms of such diseases.
• As you age, the amount of plaque tends to increase, leading to blood clots.

Coronary artery disease

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Causes of Coronary Artery Disease

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Coronary artery disease is the blockage or narrowing of coronary arteries, which is caused by the accumulation of fatty material or cholesterol deposits called plaque. 

• The plaque formed in the coronary artery walls makes the artery stiff and narrow.
• This, in turn, limits or stops the blood flow to the heart muscle and the rest of the body, causing a blockage. 

The damage is caused by various factors, such as

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Not being active

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Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease 

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A person who might have had coronary artery disease for years might not be able to identify the symptoms at first because it does not have any major symptoms.

• The most common symptom is a decreased flow of blood.
• However, facing difficulties in breathing, feeling of fatigue, and tiredness, people may develop the following signs and symptoms. 

The symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD) can be summarized as follows-

Chest pain / Angina

Angina or chest pain is the most common symptom of Coronary artery disease. This happens when there’s over-accumulation of plaque inside arteries, which makes them narrower. 

• Narrowed arteries cause a blockage as they block the blood flow to the heart muscle and body. 
• This results in chest pain and discomfort.

Shortness of Breath

Shortness of breath is caused when the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs. This shortage of blood may cause shortness of breath and fatigue.

Heart Attack

A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. The signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing pressure on your chest, pain in your shoulder or arm, sweating, and shortness of breath.

Other Symptoms 

Other symptoms of coronary artery disease include Dizziness, lightheadedness, Nausea and Weakness.

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Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease

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The knowledge of risk factors for CAD is very much necessary to avoid

Sex

Sex plays an important role as a risk factor for CAD. Men have a greater risk of heart attack and may have them earlier at an age as compared to women.

Age

The risk for CAD increases with age. Based on age men have a greater risk for the disease which begins at 45 or more and women have a higher risk which starts at the age of 55 and above.

Family History

Family history of heart disease is often associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease. The chances of developing CAD increase if any close relative of yours is diagnosed with a heart attack.

Smoking and Excessive Alcohol 

People who are addicted to smoking have a higher risk of heart disease. The chances of developing CAD by a passive smoker are also the same.

• The excessive amount of alcohol consumption tends to damage the arteries from inside.
• It corrodes the walls of arteries which causes blockage, and blood flow is stopped.

High Blood Pressure

Uncontrolled high blood pressure results in stiffening and thickening of the arteries which narrows the channel and blocks the blood to flow to the heart.

High Blood Cholesterol Levels

Higher levels of cholesterol in the blood increase the risk of formation of plaque. High cholesterol is caused by a high level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is known as bad cholesterol.

• A low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is known as good cholesterol.
• It leads to the development of atherosclerosis.

Diabetes

Higher levels of blood sugar are also associated with an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease.

Sleep Apnea

This disorder disturbs your breathing pattern. It suddenly causes you to stop and start breathing while you are asleep. Thus sudden drops and fluctuation in blood oxygen levels occur during sleep apnea.

• It tend to increase blood pressure which strains the cardiovascular system which leads to coronary artery disease.

Overweight

Excess weight or obesity also leads to higher chances of developing CAD at an early age. Therefore it’s very much necessary to maintain proper weight as per the height and age of individuals.

Physical Inactivity

Lack of physical activity and exercise is also associated with coronary artery disease. Some lifestyle changes, proper diet, walking, jogging, and few freehand exercises, deep breathing keeps the person healthy and the risk of developing Coronary Artery Disease reduces.

High Stress

Stress is one of the biggest factors for developing coronary artery disease. Chronic stress in individuals increases the chances of hypertension which in turn develops CAD.

Unhealthy Diet

Diet is one of the most important ways to keep one’s body healthy. Eating food that has high amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, salt, and higher sugar content increases your chance of developing coronary artery disease. 

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Complications of Coronary Artery Disease

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Coronary artery diseases can result in:

Chest Pain (Angina)

When coronary arteries become narrow, the heart cannot receive sufficient blood, which leads to shortness of breath and causes chest pain or angina. This chest pain is mainly noticed while performing any physical activity.

• When the heart needs to pump more blood, insufficient blood leads to chest pain.

Heart attack

When the coronary arteries get blocked due to the formation of plaque then, this results in a heart attack. In more critical cases, heart attack often leads to death.

Abnormal Heart Rhythm (Arrhythmia)

Insufficient blood supply to the heart interferes with the heart’s electrical impulses, which causes abnormal heart rhythms.

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Diagnosis for Coronary Artery Disease

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There are a few tests and physical examinations which help in diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease which are as follows:

Electrocardiogram

Electrocardiogram measures the electrical activity rate and regularity of heartbeat. This helps the doctor to determine whether you have had a heart attack.

Echocardiogram

Echocardiogram test uses ultrasound waves to create a picture of the heart. This test helps in showing whether the heart is functioning properly or not.

Stress Test

Stress test measures the level of stress on your heart during physical activity. The stress test helps to determine the functioning of the heart and when it has to pump more blood.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization checks the inside of the arteries if they are blocked. This is done by injecting a special dye into the coronary arteries through a catheter inserted through an artery in the forearm of a person.

• This dye helps enhance the radiographic image of your coronary arteries to identify any blockage.

Heart CT Scan

Heart CT Scan detects the level of plaque and calcium build-up on the walls of coronary arteries and characterizes any heart anomalies

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Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease

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The most important way to prevent coronary artery disease is to change lifestyle habits. In order to improve and keep your heart health good, you must follow the steps as given below-

• Lifestyle changes such as eating low sodium and low-fat diet
• Eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• No smoking
• It can controlled by increasing one’s physical activity
• CAD can be reduced by managing stress
• One should maintain a proper age and weight balance
• A person can take medications to treat risk factors for CAD such as high cholesterol and irregular heartbeat.
• There are surgical procedures to help restore blood flow to the heart.

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Medications for Coronary Artery Disease

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Though heart diseases are a result of your lifestyle habits or family heredity. It can be prevented by loving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There are certain medications that can be taken to improve heart health.

• Given below are some of the medications which are prescribed in order to reduce the risk of CAD:

Medication for Cholesterol 

Medicines that lower the cholesterol levels include statins, bile acid sequestrants, niacin, and fibrates.

Medication for High Blood Pressure

Medicines that lower high blood pressure such as beta-blocker, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.

Medication for Angina

Medications to stop angina include nitrates/ nitroglycerin or ranolazine.

Medication for Blood Clots

Medications to reduce the risk of blood clots such as anticoagulants and antiplatelets.

Medication for Blood Sugar Level

Medicines are also prescribed to lower your blood sugar levels if you are suffering from diabetes as diabetes is another major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease.

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Things to Remember

• Coronary artery disease which is also called CAD is the most common form of heart disease build-up of plaque inside the arteries. 
• It is caused by the accumulation of fatty material or cholesterol deposits called plaque. 
• The damage is caused due to various factors such as, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, not being active.
• Angina or chest pain is the most common symptom of Coronary artery disease.
• This happens when there’s over-accumulation of plaque inside arteries which makes the arteries narrower.