Your Trusted Coronary Artery DiseaseTreatment and Prevention Experts In South Dakota
What is Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common types of heart disease. The coronary arteries, which supply the heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood, become diseased with fatty plaque by a process called atherosclerosis. As the plaque worsens, the arteries narrow causing decreased blood flow to the heart.
Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
Patients usually develop symptoms of CAD when plaque buildup inside the coronary arteries reduces blood flow to the heart. A complete 100% blockage will cause heart attack.
Chest Pain
This may feel sharp, dull, pressure-like, squeezing, heaviness, tight or cramping. It can occur anywhere on the chest, but classically occurs on the left side. The discomfort is usually associated with physical or emotional stress and is relieved with rest or nitroglycerin. The pain may travel to the neck, jaw, shoulder, arms, back, or upper abdomen. Shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and excessive sweating may also occur.
Shortness of Breath
Having trouble catching your breath, especially when exerting yourself. For example, you may get short of breath when walking or climbing stairs. Waking up at night short of breath is also concerning.
Nausea, heartburn, belching
New or worsening nausea, heartburn, or belching may be a symptom of severe CAD. Some patients report no improvement after taking antacids, or having heartburn unexpectedly during the day.
Sweats
Some people become profoundly hot or have cold sweats. For example, patients may sweat profusely with minimal activity. Or they may be feel like changing clothes or describe waking up at night to change the bedding.
Arm, back, shoulder, teeth, abdominal pain
Sometimes pain or discomfort in the chest will radiate or migrate to the arms, back, shoulders, teeth or upper abdomen.
Fatigue
When the heart doesn’t receive enough blood, some patients feel unusually tired or fatigued.
Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease
Smoking
High Blood Pressure
High Cholesterol
Diabetes
Obesity
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Family History of Heart Disease
Diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease
The diagnosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) is made by a doctor who asks questions about your medical history and personally examines you. Additionally, diagnostic testing such as blood tests and electrocardiography (EKG) play important roles. More advanced testing such as echocardiography, stress testing, CT imaging, and invasive coronary angiography (heart catheterization) play diagnostic and therapeutic roles.
Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease
Treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) includes prevention using lifestyle changes, medicine, and sometimes heart procedures or open-heart surgery (bypass surgery). Genetic testing may also be recommended.
Lifestyle changes include exercise, blood pressure control, eating a healthy and balanced diet, avoiding smoking and tobacco products, and excessive alcohol intake.
There are several medications that can prevent worsening of CAD, and even stabilize plaques to decrease the chance of heart attack. Some of these include cholesterol medicine (statin, fibrates, bile acid sequestrants, and PCSK9 inhibitors).
Heart procedures may include heart catheterization, coronary angiography, and balloon angioplasty with or without stenting. Angioplasty and stenting involves opening clogged arteries of the heart to improve blood flow. This is accomplished using very small balloons to open the artery and metallic stents to keep the artery open. All stents are coated with special drugs to prevent blockage from happening again.
Get a Second Opinion
If you or a loved one have been told open-heart surgery is required to treat CAD or blockages in the heart, strongly consider a second opinion. In clinical trials, up to 80% of patients sent for “bypass surgery” for multiple blockages would have been candidates for less risky treatments.
Experienced Care for Coronary Artery Disease Symptoms in the Black Hills
Most importantly, if you think you’re having a heart attack call 911 immediately. Do not drive yourself to the Emergency Room. If emergency services are unavailable, ask a friend or family member to drive you to the nearest hospital. If you are having symptoms concerning for coronary artery disease, please call Black Hills Heart and Vascular Institute to schedule an appointment or discuss with your primary care physician (PCP).
