Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary Artery Disease
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Approaches
Coronary Artery Disease Q & A
What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition of the blood vessels that feed the heart muscle, where fatty deposits and inflammation block adequate blood flow.
The coronary arteries feed the muscle responsible for the pumping action of the heart. When this muscle doesn’t receive adequate blood supply, it doesn’t receive sufficient oxygen. When this happens, the muscle is damaged and can’t function properly, causing the body to be deprived of oxygen-rich blood.
CAD, or coronary heart disease, is the most common type of heart disease. It’s the leading cause of heart attack in the United States and contributes to 1 in every 4 deaths annually.
What Causes CAD?
A leading contributing factor to coronary artery disease is another condition called atherosclerosis. This condition causes clogging, narrowing, and hardening of the arteries. CAD happens when the vessels of the heart are affected by atherosclerosis.
Other contributing factors include:
What are Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease?
Some people with CAD have mild symptoms that come and go. Others may have no symptoms at all until the heart already has suffered significant damage.
Having regular cardiac checkups is an important step in preventing cardiac damage, especially if you have symptoms such as:
How is CAD Diagnosed?
These tests can help your Phoenix Heart doctor visualize the arteries of your heart, and identify areas where blockages are, before they cause serious damage to your heart muscle.
For an evaluation of your coronary arteries, call today or book an appointment online with Phoenix Heart.
