Our coronary arteries, the vital pathways delivering oxygen-rich blood to our heart muscle, are under constant threat from a buildup of plaque. This gradual narrowing can lead to coronary artery disease, the underlying cause of most heart attacks. But the good news is, there’s a lot we can do to prevent this condition.
What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
The pipes that bring blood to your heart, called coronary arteries, can get clogged up over time. This makes it tough for your heart to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. This blockage is called coronary artery disease, or CAD for short. It’s the most common type of heart problem in the United States. Some people also call it coronary heart disease.
Types of Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease isn’t all the same. There are different flavors, depending on how it affects your heart. In some cases, the blockage is there but doesn’t cause sudden problems “stable ischemic heart disease”. Other times, a blockage might cause chest pain or even a heart attack “acute coronary syndrome”. The blockage itself can be really bad “obstructive” or not as severe “non-obstructive”, but either way it’s important to keep an eye on your heart health.
1. Stable Ischemic Heart Disease
There’s a type of heart disease called stable ischemic heart disease. It happens slowly over time, like rust building up in a pipe. This rust narrows the arteries that bring oxygen to your heart. Even though you might feel some chest pain, it usually comes and goes. The good news is that you can still live a normal life with this condition, but it’s important to see a doctor to manage it.
2. Acute Coronary Syndrome
Acute coronary syndrome is another kind of heart trouble, but this one is different. Imagine a fatty buildup in your coronary arteries “the heart’s highways” suddenly breaks apart and blocks the road. This cuts off blood flow to your heart muscle, which can lead to a heart attack. Unlike the slower stable disease, this is a serious situation that needs immediate medical attention.
3. Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
There’s a reason doctors check for blocked arteries. Obstructive coronary artery disease is when plaque, like fatty gunk, builds up in your heart’s arteries. If this buildup narrows the arteries by more than half, it can block the flow of blood to your heart. This is how obstructive coronary artery disease is diagnosed.
4. Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Not all blocked arteries are created equal. There’s another type of heart disease where plaque buildup narrows your heart’s arteries, but not by as much as in the other conditions we talked about (less than 50% blockage). This is called non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Even though it might seem less serious, it’s still important to keep an eye on it and take steps to prevent the blockage from getting worse.
Coronary artery disease can be a silent thief, taking years to cause problems. This is because the arteries narrow slowly due to plaque buildup. You might not feel anything at first. But if you do experience some warning signs, here’s what to watch out for: chest pain or tightness, especially in the center or left side that may spread to your shoulders or jaw. Shortness of breath, like you can’t catch your breath, fatigue, feeling super tired, dizziness, sweating, nausea, or even throwing up. If you have any of these, see a doctor right away. Early detection can help prevent bigger issues down the road.
a. Chest pain (angina):
Out of all the warning signs of coronary artery disease, chest pain (also called angina) is the most common one. It usually feels like tightness or squeezing in the center or left side of your chest. This pain might show up when you’re exercising or stressed, and it often follows a similar pattern each time.
b. Shortness of breath:
Another symptom of coronary artery disease is shortness of breath. This might feel like you’re suddenly out of breath, even when you’re not doing anything strenuous. It’s like your body is working harder than usual just to get enough air.
Coronary Arteries Disease Symptoms
c. Fatigue:
Coronary artery disease can also make you feel super tired, even for simple tasks. This is because your heart isn’t getting the oxygen-rich blood it needs to pump throughout your body. Imagine your heart is like a pump, but the pipes bringing it water (blood) are clogged. The heart has to work extra hard to deliver the same amount of water, which can leave you feeling drained.
d. Heart attack:
A heart attack is the most serious symptom of coronary artery disease and requires immediate medical attention. It happens when a completely blocked coronary artery cuts off blood flow to your heart muscle. If you think you might be having a heart attack, call emergency services right away (dial 911 in many areas). Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
- Severe chest pain: This pain feels much worse than angina and might not go away with rest. It can feel like a squeezing, pressure, or tightness in the center or left chest.
- Shortness of breath: You might feel like you can’t catch your breath, even when you’re resting.
- Pain radiating to other areas: The pain might spread to your shoulders, arm, back, jaw, or even your belly.
- Excessive sweating: You might break into a cold sweat for no reason.
Remember, if you experience any of these symptoms, call emergency services immediately. Early action can save your life.
CAD Causes
Coronary artery disease is often caused by a slow build-up of gunk called plaque in your arteries, kind of like rust in a pipe. This plaque buildup is called atherosclerosis and it’s the main culprit behind coronary artery disease. The exact reason why plaque builds up is a mystery, but there are things you can do to lower your chances of getting it. These include staying away from cigarettes, eating healthy foods, and getting regular exercise.
Risk Factors for CAD
F1 Age:
As we get older, the risk of coronary artery disease goes up, especially for men over 45 and women over 55. There are two reasons for this. One, our bodies just change as we age, and genes or unhealthy habits can make plaque build up faster in our arteries. It’s like water pipes – the older they get, the easier it is for rust to build up and clog them.
F2 Family history:
Coronary artery disease can also run in families. If close relatives like parents or siblings have it, you might be more prone to getting it too. This is because genes you inherit from your family can make you more likely to develop plaque buildup in your arteries. It’s like inheriting a certain kind of plumbing in your body – some people are just more susceptible to getting clogged pipes.
F3 Poor lifestyle habits:
There are things you do every day that can impact your heart health. Not getting enough exercise, eating unhealthy foods, smoking, and drinking too much alcohol can all raise your chances of getting coronary artery disease. These habits can stress your body out and make it easier for plaque to build up in your arteries. They can also lead to other problems like high blood pressure and even depression, which put extra strain on your heart. So, taking care of yourself by eating right, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep is a great way to keep your heart happy.
F4 Chronic medical conditions:
Some long-term health problems can also raise your risk of coronary artery disease. These include things like high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney disease. Imagine your heart is like a pump. If you have one of these conditions, it’s like the pipes leading to the pump are clogged or the pump itself is weak. Over time, this extra strain can make it harder for your heart to work properly, increasing the chance of coronary artery disease.
F5 Obesity:
Carrying extra weight around your middle can also increase your risk of coronary artery disease. That’s because fat can build up in your arteries along with other plaque, narrowing the pathways and making it harder for blood to flow. This can also increase your chances of getting blood clots. So maintaining a healthy weight is a good way to keep your heart healthy.
When To See a Doctor
Act immediately if you think you’re having a heart attack. Call 911 or have someone rush you to the nearest hospital. Don’t wait for an ambulance if you can’t reach emergency services.
If you’re worried you might have coronary artery disease because of risk factors or symptoms, see your doctor. They may recommend tests to check for narrowed arteries or plaque buildup in your heart. Early detection and treatment can help prevent serious problems down the road.
How To Prevent Coronary Artery Disease
There’s no magic bullet to completely prevent coronary artery disease, but there are definitely ways to make your heart happy and lower your risk. Here are some things you can do:
- Ditch the cigarettes: Smoking is a big no-no for your heart health. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do.
- Fuel your body right: Choose healthy foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Limit unhealthy fats, sugary drinks, and processed foods.
- Get moving!: Regular exercise is like a workout for your heart. Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity most days of the week.
- Go easy on the alcohol: Too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure and stress your heart.
- Catch those Zzz’s sleep: Getting enough sleep is important for your whole body, including your heart.
- Manage other health problems: If you have conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, keeping them under control can help protect your heart.
By following these tips, you can take charge of your heart health and reduce your chances of coronary artery disease.
