Coronary Artery Disease

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*Causes:

-Coronary arteries that deliver a constant supply of blood to heart muscle start to develop fatty plaques which leads to restriction of blood flow to the heart

-Fatty plaques are caused by a condition called atherosclerosis that occurs in the artery wall

-Atherosclerosis is thickening of the arteries

-Risk factors that increase arteries of becoming atherosclerotic are smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, family history

*Signs and symptoms:

-Asymptomatic (early phases)

+Chest pain

+Shortness of breath during heavy activities 

+Loss of vision in one eye

+Sudden numbness

+Very tired

+Feeling run down

-In a long time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle. This may lead to heart failure, a serious condition where the heart can’t pump blood the way it should. Patients may experience unstable chest pain at rest and ineffective drug treatment—->Medical emergency

*How is it diagnosed?

-Blood test: lipoprotein profile 

-ECG: changes in ST segment (ST depression and ST elevation)

-Stress test: monitor rhythm during exercise or perform nuclear stress test (tracer is injected to take a picture of heart for blood flow assessment)

-Cardiac catheterization: a thin flexible tube is inserted through an artery in the arm or neck to reach the heart (Checks the inside of your arteries for blockage)

*Treatment

-Live a healthy lifestyle: heat healthier, physical activity, quit smoking,..

-Take medicines that help to treat risk factors for CAD 

-Surgical procedures to help restore blood flow to the heart

-Cardiac rehabilitation: program for anyone recovering from a heart attack, heart failure, or other heart problem that required surgery or medical care.