Coronary artery disease (CAD): Causes, diagnosis and treatment

Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and occurs when plaque buildup narrows or blocks one or more of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. The term is often used interchangeably with coronary heart disease .

What causes coronary artery disease?CAD is caused by a process known as atherosclerosis, in which plaque builds up in the inner walls of arteries, causing them to narrow and become rigid. This blocks blood flow, and the blockage can rapidly worsen if a piece of plaque breaks off and causes a blood clot.

Other factors that can provoke atherosclerosis include uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, hypertension and tobacco use. Known colloquially as a"heart attack," ACS is a spectrum running from its least severe subtype, unstable angina; to an intermediate subtype, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction ; to its most severe subtype, ST elevation myocardial infarction .How is coronary artery disease diagnosed?To diagnose coronary artery disease, doctors will look at a patient's medical history and any symptoms that could indicate heart problems. They may also perform a physical examination.

Patients may be referred to a cardiologist for further tests, such as additional ECG testing, ultrasound imaging of the heart , or evaluation with a wearable heart monitor, a version of ECG that you wear for a few days or weeks that transmits data to the cardiologist. Even without a plaque rupture, however, the gradual increase in blockage driven by atherosclerosis disrupts a person's ability to perform physical activities, such as walking up stairs or around the block.

Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)

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