Coronary Artery Disease Severity Definitions

Coronary arteries are blood vessels that supply nutrients to the heart muscle. When these arteries are blocked, the heart does not receive enough nutrients or oxygen, which causes coronary heart disease. This disease can lead to heart attack or cardiac arrest.

Symptoms

• A common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, which is a tightness and pain feeling in the chest. Other symptoms include shortness of breath and weakness.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is done by evaluation family history and taking blood tests. An EKG is ordered to evaluated the heartbeat. The doctor may have the patient perform a stress test, and later an X-ray to detect any enlargement of the muscle.

Treatment

• For severe coronary artery blockage, an angioplasty is performed to remove plaque from the arterial walls. The doctor will also prescribe medications, such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Diet and exercise are also recommended.

Prevention

• Lifestyle changes can help prevent coronary artery disease. Diets low in cholesterol and intake of omega-3 fatty acids help prevent the buildup of plaque. Cardio exercise also reduces the chance of the disease.

Significance

• Coronary artery disease is a serious condition that can lead to heart attack and death. The cells in the heart are unable to receive enough blood, reducing the amount of oxygen received. The cells continue to die until the heart is unable to sustain pumping, leading to a heart attack.