An Introduction To Coronary Artery Disease
Before your heart can pump blood to the rest of your body, it must receive it from your coronary arteries. There are two main arteries that supply oxygenated blood to your heart: the left and the right. Both branch out into a network of other arteries. When a blockage forms within one of them, the obstruction can reduce the flow of blood (and by extension, oxygen) to your heart. This is called coronary artery disease (CAD). It can result in a heart attack.
Below, we’ll explain the factors that contribute to its development. We’ll also describe the warning signs that manifest when the condition presents as well as the most common forms of treatment.
Potential Causes
Plaque is the substance that builds along the arterial walls and creates an obstruction. The plaque builds as the result of damage sustained by your arteries. It is part of the healing function your body goes through to repair the damage.
There are several contributing factors that can lead to this circumstance. For example, your diet can play a key role. If you habitually consume foods with a high fat content or a high level of cholesterol, elements in your blood will contribute to plaque buildup. If you have high blood pressure, the walls of a coronary artery can become damaged due to the force exerted upon them. Smoking can also damage the walls. This causes compounds within your blood to be released to help repair the damage. The result is plaque buildup and ultimately, CAD.
Warning Signs And Symptoms
The most common sign of CAD is chest pain – a condition known as angina. This occurs because your heart is unable to receive a sufficient supply of oxygenated blood. Another warning sign is shortness of breath. This is caused by your heart not pumping a sufficient supply of blood to the rest of your body. As a result, your lungs will begin to fill with fluid making it difficult to catch your breath.
There are also serious conditions that are triggered by coronary artery disease. For example, you may suffer a heart attack. The plaque builds up to the point where blood begins to clot, blocking the entire arterial passageway. The organ can also develop an arrhythmia.
Treating The Condition
Most doctors will first suggest making changes to your lifestyle. That includes the type of activities in which you participate and the types of foods you consume. They will also suggest that you quit smoking and reduce your stress level. Often, this is all that is needed to treat CAD.
If lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor may suggest a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) followed by a cardiac rehabilitation program. He or she may also prescribe a number of medications to lower your blood pressure, prevent clotting, and reduce the amount of work your heart undergoes. The key is to have coronary artery disease treated as quickly as possible after it is diagnosed. Otherwise, the symptoms will only worsen.
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