Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death from heart disease. The condition occurs when plaque, made up of cholesterol, calcium, and fatty deposits, builds up inside heart artery walls. This hardening, or clogging, of the arteries (called atherosclerosis) restricts blood flow to the heart.
There are various types of coronary artery disease, including:
This happens when arteries that supply the heart with blood gradually begin to narrow or become blocked due to plaque buildup.
This occurs when the arteries develop problems, such as inappropriate constriction, malfunctions in the branches, damaged lining, or squeezing from overlying heart muscle.
Also referred to as microvascular coronary artery disease, this is a condition where the walls of the small arteries in the heart aren’t working properly.
People with coronary artery disease may have chest pain, known as angina. Other coronary artery disease symptoms may include shortness of breath, nausea, weakness, pain or discomfort in the arms, and decreased exercise tolerance. A complete or very severe blockage can cause a heart attack.
Coronary artery disease often begins with damage or injury to the inner layer of a coronary artery. This can start as early as childhood. Various factors can cause this damage, such as:
Risk factors for coronary artery disease include:
Making healthy lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk of coronary artery disease. To improve your heart health, you can:
If you have coronary artery disease, you can improve your quality of life and live longer with determination and dedication to making healthier choices. One of the best ways to improve your condition is by eating a healthy diet. This means avoiding foods saturated in trans fats, high cholesterol, and salt. Other ways to improve your diet include:
The Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Cardiovascular Institute is a national leader in using advanced diagnostic technology and minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat heart disease.
Our physicians use the latest imaging methods to determine the cause, severity, and prognosis of your heart condition. You may undergo one or more of these coronary artery disease tests:
This noninvasive test assesses your heart’s electrical activity.
A stress test assesses changes in your heart during exertion compared with rest. A nuclear stress test, or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), uses injectable radioactive tracers to show blood flow to the heart during exertion and rest.
This ultrasound test uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the heart and its pumping action.
This heart scan uses an injectable radioactive substance called a tracer to display blood flow to your heart and check for blockages.
A series of X-rays taken from different angles after injection of contrast dye into a vein in the arm produce detailed images of the heart arteries.
This cardiac imaging scan uses strong magnets to create detailed images of the heart in motion. Learn more about cardiovascular imaging.
Your physician threads a long, thin tube (catheter) to the heart and uses contrast dye to locate blockages.
This test uses a small ultrasound wand attached to a catheter to capture images from inside the blood vessels.
The AHN Cardiovascular Institute offers a wide range of treatments for coronary artery disease. We’re experts at using highly complex procedures for people with difficult-to-treat heart problems. Treatments include:
Medicines to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as blood thinners, can improve blood flow and relieve chest pain. Medications may include beta blockers, aspirin, calcium channel blockers, cholesterol-modifying medications, ranolazine, and more.
Your physician may recommend a catheter-based procedure, such as coronary angioplasty and stenting or a complex coronary intervention.
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, or heart bypass surgery, diverts blood flow around a narrowed or blocked artery.
If you have not been formally diagnosed yet, call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677 or request an appointment with a general cardiologist to be evaluated.
If you have a referral and would like to schedule a procedure, call (412) NURSE-4-U (412) 687-7348.
