Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease happens when plaque builds in the arteries that feed the heart. Plaque narrows the vessel and lowers blood flow. That can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, or a heart attack. Treating CAD early protects heart muscle and lowers risk of emergency events.

Signs are not the same for everyone. Many people have pressure or heaviness in the chest that may move to the arm or jaw. Others feel tired, dizzy, or uneasy. Women and older adults often show less clear signs like nausea or weird fatigue. If you suspect a heart attack, call emergency services right away.

Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and a family history of heart disease. Long term stress, poor sleep, and lack of exercise add to the danger. You can change many of these with diet, activity, and quitting smoking.

Your doctor will check blood pressure and order blood tests for cholesterol and blood sugar. An EKG, stress test, or coronary CT may show how well blood reaches your heart. These tests help decide if you need medicine, procedures, or close follow up.

To lower risk focus on clear steps. Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein. Cut back on processed food, sugar, and fried items. Move more each day, even brisk walking for thirty minutes helps. Stop smoking and limit alcohol.

Medications can be lifesaving. Statins are common to lower bad cholesterol and stabilize plaque. Doctors may suggest aspirin or other antiplatelet drugs after weighing bleeding risk. Blood pressure meds and diabetes drugs lower chance of heart events too.

In some cases a blocked artery needs a procedure. Angioplasty with stent or bypass surgery restores blood flow. Rehab programs help after a heart event with exercise plans and support. Follow up with your team and report new symptoms quickly.

Our site links helpful articles on related topics like ischemia and vision, aging and chronic disease, and diabetes treatments. Those pieces explain risks that connect to heart health and practical choices you can make. Use them to learn, but talk with your doctor before changing treatment.

Know when to call your doctor. Worsening chest pain, fainting, new breathlessness, sudden weakness, or trouble speaking need prompt care. If pain is severe or lasting more than a few minutes, treat it as an emergency. For long term care, ask your doctor about target cholesterol and blood pressure numbers. Many people aim for an LDL cholesterol below one hundred or lower if they have higher risk. Keep a simple record of readings and meds so visits are productive. If you smoke, ask about proven help like counseling, nicotine replacement, or medications. Heart health is a series of choices and checkups, not a single fix.

Start today with one small step and keep moving forward daily.