In CAD, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart—the coronary arteries—become narrowed or blocked. Consequently, your heart doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. It is a common heart problem in Australia, affecting over half a million people aged over 18.
CAD can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. Several factors can make you more likely to get CAD, such as:
- Age
- Being physically inactive
- Having diabetes
- Family history of CAD
- Genetics
- High blood pressure
- High levels of the “bad” cholesterol or low levels of the “good” cholesterol
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Stress
Because CAD develops slowly, there may be no symptoms in the initial stages of the disease. Chest pain or discomfort is what most people experience initially. For many people, the first sign that they have CAD is a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack incl:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in the neck or left arm
- Weakness
- Light-headedness
- Nausea
- Cold sweat
To diagnose CAD, your doctor will first assess your risk (e.g., family history of CAD) and symptoms. Then, they may order some of the following tests and procedures:
- Blood tests to determine the levels of cholesterol, sugar, blood fats, and inflammatory proteins.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) measures your heart’s electrical activity, heart rate, and rhythm.
- A coronary calcium scan measures how much calcium deposits are in your coronary arteries.
- Stress tests look at how your heart works when you exercise. For this, you will walk or run on a treadmill while your doctor checks blood flow in the arteries using an ECG or another imaging test.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and coronary CT angiography help detect if you have reduced blood flow in your coronary arteries.
- Invasive coronary angiography is used to locate blockages in your coronary arteries
CAD treatment includes:
- Lifestyle changes (eating a low-salt, low-fat diet, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking)
- Medicines to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat
- Surgical procedures to help restore blood flow in your coronary arteries
