Coronary artery disease is an artery disease of the heart. If left untreated, it can lead to a heart attack. The signs and symptoms of coronary artery disease include pain and discomfort in the upper body, including the arms, neck, back, and jaw. The condition can also lead to chest pain and other symptoms.
Diagnosis
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a potentially fatal heart condition. This condition often affects the young and middle-aged and can have a profound impact on a society’s economy and workforce. The diagnosis and treatment of CAD are therefore vital for preventing and managing its consequences.
Diagnosis of CAD is based on the presence of certain symptoms and risk factors. Some of these factors include age, tobacco use, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia. For example, a 60-year-old man with a history of coronary artery disease is more likely to present with atypical chest pain than a 20-year-old woman without risk factors.
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease. It is characterized by reduced blood flow to the heart and may be either focal or diffuse. The initial symptom of CAD is chronic stable angina, caused by a buildup of atheromatous plaque in the main coronary artery. The blockage causes a mismatch between oxygen supply and demand, which leads to myocardial ischemia. The symptoms of angina usually begin with chest discomfort that radiates to the shoulders and last for a few minutes. These symptoms are triggered by exertion and are usually relieved by nitroglycerin.
Prevention
Prevention of coronary artery disease is an important part of cardiovascular care. This disease has a complex range of risk factors and requires a multidisciplinary approach. The multidisciplinary approach requires a multilevel view of the problem and an interprofessional team to implement and measure interventions. Interventions aimed at preventing coronary artery disease target many domains of health care quality improvement including clinical information systems, follow-up, community resources, and the organization of health care.
Lifestyle modifications and regular exercise are essential for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In addition, a healthy diet should be followed to maintain optimal blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol levels. Lifestyle changes also help prevent recurrence of cardiovascular events. These lifestyle changes should involve patients, health professionals, and policymakers in preventing the disease.
Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease is another key element of prevention of cardiovascular events. Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease aims to reduce the incidence of cardiac events and subsequent mortality and improve quality of life. Interventions for secondary prevention may include medical therapy and surgical revascularization. Medical therapy focuses on comprehensive risk factor modification, therapeutic lifestyle changes, and the treatment of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and dyslipidemia.
Coronary artery disease is caused by the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries, which is made up of cholesterol, fat, and calcium. It is the most common form of cardiovascular disease in the United States. People with this condition are more likely to develop high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol.
