

For example, your doctor may prescribe medication therapy to treat high cholesterol or high blood pressure, or you may receive medication to control blood sugar if you have diabetes.

Treatment also depends on your current health condition, risk factors, and overall wellbeing. It’s important to reduce or control your risk factors and seek treatment to lower the chance of a heart attack or stroke, if you’re diagnosed with CAD.

For those unable to perform physical exercise, certain medications can be used instead for stress testing. Nuclear imaging may also be performed for a portion of this test. The test monitors your heart’s electrical activity while you walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike. Stress test : This particular test measures the stress on your heart during physical activity and while at rest.The results of this test reveal whether certain things in your heart are functioning properly. Echocardiogram : This imaging test uses ultrasound waves to create a picture of your heart.It may help your doctor determine whether you’ve had a heart attack. Electrocardiogram : This test monitors electrical signals that travel through your heart.Your doctor will detect these heart abnormalities during diagnosis.ĭiagnosing CAD requires a review of your medical history, a physical examination, and other medical testing. fail to pump as much blood as your body needs.develop abnormal heart rhythms ( arrhythmia) or rates.Postmenopausal women by age 70 have the same risk as men.ĭue to decreased blood flow, your heart may also: Men have a higher risk of developing heart disease than premenopausal women. shortness of breath without feeling chest pain.Women may also experience the above symptoms, but they’re also more likely to have: Immediate medical treatment is necessary. This is a heart attack.ĭon’t ignore any of these symptoms, especially if they are excruciating or last longer than five minutes. If a blockage cuts off blood flow completely or almost completely, your heart muscle will start to die if not restored. You may experience more symptoms when your blood flow is more restricted. These symptoms can also be mistaken for heartburn or indigestion. Angina (chest discomfort) is the most common symptom of CAD. When your heart doesn’t get enough arterial blood, you may experience a variety of symptoms. Other rare causes of damage or blockage to a coronary artery also limit blood flow to the heart. Reduced blood flow to your heart can cause symptoms of CAD. Like any other organ or muscle, your heart must receive an adequate, dependable supply of blood in order to carry out its work. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a healthy heart moves approximately 3,000 gallons of blood through your body every day. Your heart is a muscle that’s responsible for pumping blood throughout your body. These arteries bring oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to your heart. The four primary coronary arteries are located on the surface of the heart: Reduced blood flow occurs when one or more of these arteries becomes partially or completely blocked. The most common cause of CAD is vascular injury with cholesterol plaque buildup in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis.
