CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

What is Coronary artery disease?

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), also known as Ischemic Heart Disease or Coronary Heart
Disease, is a type of heart disease that affects the blood vessels that feed the heart, known as
coronary arteries.

Arteries are just like highways. When these arteries harden or become clogged less nutrients and oxygen reach the heart muscle. This artery hardening is no different than lanes on the highway being closed. Less lanes means slower traffic and fewer nutrients delivered to the heart.

“Arteries are like highways”

Why do we treat coronary artery disease?

To reduce the risk of a heart attack (also called a myocardial infarction)

What things increase your risk for coronary artery disease?

Factors that you can work with your doctor to reduce your risk

High Cholesterol
High Blood Pressure
Diabetes
Smoking
Alcohol

Factors that you cannot change but increase your risk

Age – as we age our blood vessels stiffen and narrow.
Gender– men are at higher risk than women.
Genetics– If your dad had a heart attack before the age of 55 or mom before the age of 65 this would increase your risk.

How is coronary artery disease treated?

Like most conditions there are 3 main steps:

Step 1: Changes to your activity or habits

Quitting Smoking
Increasing Physical Activity
Weight Reduction
A Mediterranean diet

Step 2: Medications (Each medication helps to lower a certain risk factor)

Statins help to lower cholesterol
Anti-hypertensives help to lower blood pressure
Anti-hyperglycemics help to control blood sugar

Step 3: Surgeries that help to open up the blocked blood vessels

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): This is a procedure where cardiologists (doctors who specialize in the care of the heart) use a wire to pass through the narrowed artery and then using a balloon or balloon and stent to open up the narrowed area to restore normal blood flow.
- *percutaneous is just a word that describes doing a procedure through the skin instead of opening the skin like a traditional surgery

This picture demonstrates a procedure known as angioplasty or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This procedure involves sliding a wire and balloon across the narrowed area to open the blockage and allow more blood to flow.