Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of death in both men and women. This disease affects over 16 million American citizens. Moreover, the American Heart Association has stated that a heart attack occurs every 40 seconds in the country. In this article, we look at what this disease is and how you can prevent it.

What is coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease at its most basic is when important blood vessels that supply your heart become damaged. Plaque builds up inside your arteries and blood vessels which causes them to become narrow. This plaque is formed from excess cholesterol deposits. Furthermore, your arteries may become inflamed. We have listed the causes below:

An elderly resident of Haym Salomon Home getting consultation about coronary artery disease from our nursing staff

All of the above effectively means that your heart becomes damaged. It will not receive the blood and oxygen that it requires to operate effectively. As you can see below, many factors can cause this, which can have severe implications for your health.

Contributing Factors

Coronary artery disease can be caused by numerous factors, both unavoidable and self-inflicted. The following are factors that you can generally control:

  • Inactive lifestyle
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Obesity
  • High-stress levels
  • Poor diet

Aside from controllable factors, CAD can also be caused by issues out of our control:

  • A family history of coronary artery disease and heart complications
  • Diabetes
  • Old age

If other members of your family have experienced artery disease or heart conditions, this could put you at as greater risk. Furthermore, those suffering from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes could also be at a greater risk. Moreover, as we age, our arteries naturally take damage and can narrow as time progresses.

Symptoms

The symptoms for coronary artery disease are actually few. The main physical symptom is a narrowing of your arteries – obviously, you can’t see this. Symptoms that you can physically see or feel include:

  • Chest pain
  • Breathlessness
  • Heart attack
  • Extreme Fatigue

How can coronary artery disease be diagnosed and treated?

Now that you understand what coronary artery disease is, we can look at treatment and diagnosis.

Diagnosing the condition

Diagnosing CAD can involve an interview with a doctor and various medical tests. The following are some of the common diagnosing processes:

  • Electrocardiogram
  • Echocardiogram
  • Heart Scan
  • Stress Test

Treatment

This disease can be prevented in some instances simply by living a healthy lifestyle. Medical treatment and surgery are only used in serve cases – drugs and lifestyle changes usually take precedent.

Lifestyle improvements

  • Healthy eating
  • Exercise
  • Lose weight
  • Reduce stress levels

Medication

  • Aspirin
  • Beta Blockers
  • Cholesterol medication
  • Calcium channel blockers

Coronary Artery Disease can be severe if you continue to damage your body. By living a healthy lifestyle, you greatly reduce the chance of contracting this disease. Furthermore, your health should benefit in general.

This content comprises informative and educational resources only and can not be considered as a substitute for professional health or medical guidance. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk. If you have any inquiries or apprehensions about your medical condition or health goals, talk with a licensed physician or healthcare provider.