Coronary Artery Disease or CAD is one of the major heart diseases. It takes place because coronary arteries get clogged and constricted. They are responsible for bringing oxygen-rich blood to the heart. When they get injured, the heart may not get adequate blood and oxygen. CAD gives rise to pain in the chest, heart attack, and other life-taking diseases. CAD should be researched in order to keep it from occurring and cure it.
What Causes Coronary Artery Disease?
Most common cause of CAD is the narrowing of arteries by plaque. What comprises the plaque is fatty tissue, cholesterol, and some other substance. It gets deposited with the passage of time and causes blockage in the arteries. It is termed as atherosclerosis. A decrease in heart blood supply occurs when coronary arteries get narrowed down. The narrowed-down parts in the arteries are harder for the heart to send blood through it.
Moreover, some reasons for CAD include cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes. Family history and age do count. Anyone with a history of coronary heart disease in his or her family is at risk for CAD.
Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
The symptoms and signs of CAD can be diverse. Some have no symptoms, especially at the beginning. But as the disease progresses, symptoms are formed. The most common symptom is a feeling of pain or discomfort in the chest, or angina. Squeezing, tightness, or pressure in the chest is felt.
Other than dizziness, weakness, and shortness of breath, the occurrence of such symptoms is normal. It also causes a heart attack in extreme cases. A heart attack occurs when an artery is occluded, thereby cutting off blood supply to the heart. This results in chest pain, perspiration, vomiting, and dizziness.
Furthermore, it should be examined for a doctor’s intervention if you develop such symptoms within yourself. You can get the tests and operations done from a cardiology hospital near me.
Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease
For CAD diagnosis, doctors prescribe a series of tests. They undergo blood tests, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and stress tests. A stress test is done to measure how effectively the heart functions while under the stress of exercise. In others, doctors refer them for a coronary angiogram. To do this test, dye is injected into the arteries to check whether or not they are clogged.
Besides this, imaging tests like echocardiogram and CT scan can be performed to check the condition of the heart and the arteries. Through these tests, doctors can determine the extent of CAD and also recommend the type of therapy needed.
Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease
CAD is treated according to the severity of disease. In some patients, lifestyle modification alone is sufficient to greatly improve heart function. These include changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stopping smoking. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels also require control.
But if life change does not work, drug treatment may be initiated. Statins, aspirin, and beta-blockers are most commonly used to treat CAD. They lower cholesterol, inhibit the aggregation of blood, and decrease the workload of the heart.
In the more complex types, doctors will advise surgery. One of the most commonly utilized is angioplasty, which is a type of surgery where blocked arteries are being cleared up with the use of a balloon.Additionally, stents are inserted inside the arteries in some cases to render them unblockable for life. Coronary bypass surgery is also needed by patients who have widespread blockage.
However, seriously ill patients or a patient who has suffered a heart attack require serious hospital care. Advanced ICU wings of hospitals like best hospitals in baroda treat CAD patients with best-class treatment.
Prevention of Coronary Artery Disease
Prevention is better than cure. Good lifestyle can reduce the risk of CAD to a large degree. Exercise daily, eat well, and maintain body weight in check. Avoid stress and stop smoking, and the heart will remain healthy.
Additionally, it can be diagnosed at its early stage from your periodic visits to your doctor. Even if you are at risk of high blood pressure or high cholesterol, it is always better to get yourself examined. You can get preventive therapy and interventions for cardiovascular disease from a local cardiology hospital.
Conclusion
Coronary Artery Disease is a lethal disease and brings death to millions of people across the globe. But if it knows the cause, symptom, and cure of this disease, then it can treat or prevent the disease successfully. You should undergo urgent medical treatment if you feel breathless or chest pain. CAD is treatable with drugs, medication, and dietary changes. Other than that, ICU hospital care treatment hospitals can provide other treatments to those patients who experience extreme health complications.
Besides this, a dynamic and active lifestyle with the right care of the heart minimizes CAD risk and creates a healthy heart.
