Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), also called ischemic heart disease, is a disease that affects the blood vessels that nourish the heart muscle. CAD is actually a result of atherosclerosis, a build-up of fatty substances on the inner walls of the coronary arteries. When the coronary arteries become clogged or narrowed by these waxy “fats,” blood flow is restricted and the heart muscle does not receive adequate oxygen which can lead to heart attack and even death.
 
While the precise causes of CAD are not known, there are many factors that may contribute to developing this disease. For your heart’s health, recognize early “warning signs” of CAD, understand what can be done if you suffer from the disease, and how yourself may be able to prevent (or slow) its progress.
 
If left untreated, coronary artery disease may cause damage to the heart muscle. This disease has increased greatly in the last 50 years and is now a leading cause of death in the Western world.
 

•	The disease is not always linked to the aging process and affects more men than women.
•	It also occurs more often in whites, the middle-aged or elderly, and rich countries.

 
Symptoms
Unfortunately, for many people, the first “sign” of CAD is a heart attack. Everyone should know about the common signs that may signal a heart attack: pain that spreads from the shoulders, neck or arms; pressure, uncomfortable “fullness” in the chest; dizziness, nausea, and/or shortness of breath.
 
If you experience warning signs, call for emergency medical help immediately.
 

•	In many cases, chest pain (angina pectoris) may occur when the heart is not receiving enough oxygen.
•	Angina may be worst during exercise or stress when there are increased oxygen demands on the heart.
•	Always see your doctor if you experience recurrent chest pain.
•	Your physician can check your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and heart function, and advise you about how to reduce your risk for heart attack.

 
Risk Factors

•	Family history (parents, siblings) of heart disease
•	Overweight
•	Smoking
•	High stress
•	Type A personality
•	High fat diet (high cholesterol test results)
•	Diabetes
•	High blood pressure (hypertension)
•	History of heart attack
•	Low HDL (lipoprotein) level

 
Treatment
If you have CAD, your doctor may want to try one or more of the following methods of treatment:
 

•	Medications can reduce blood pressure, oxygen demand, and relieve excess strain on the heart, but they cannot clear an already blocked artery.
•	Angioplasty expands narrowed arteries by inflating a catheter-guided balloon in the area of the blockage.
•	Bypass surgery improves blood flow by grafting blood vessels (from your arm or leg) around the blocked coronary arteries.

 
Prevention
The single most important thing you can do to prevent heart disease is to not smoke, or if you do, to stop. Cigarette smokers are two to six times more likely to develop this disease or to die from it than nonsmokers. This risk also seems to be related to the number of cigarettes smoked per day. People who smoke pipes and cigars do not seem to develop the disease as often as cigarette smokers.
 
You can also follow the American Heart Association’s guidelines for a healthy diet:
 

•	Limit dietary cholesterol to no more than 300 mg. per day.
•	Limit your intake of fat to 30% or less of your daily calories.
•	Limit added salt and foods that are high in sodium; eat plenty of complex carbohydrates.
(Note: If you already suffer from CAD, high blood pressure, or elevated cholesterol your doctor may recommend limits lower than these general guidelines.)

 
Regular aerobic exercise (3-5 times a week for 20-30 minutes a session) will also strengthen your heart, improve oxygen supply, and actually help control cholesterol.
 
It is also important to have your blood pressure checked annually. Although it is a leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke, high blood pressure can be controlled.

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