Coronary Artery Disease

More than 20 million Americans have coronary artery disease (CAD), making it the most common type of heart disease in the United States. Dedicated to helping you take control of your health, Yasir Akram, MD, MPH, FACC, FSCAI, and the team at Apex Heart & Vascular Center in Houston, Tomball, and Cypress, Texas, provide personalized care for coronary artery disease, offering state-of-the-art testing to diagnose and monitor heart health. Call the office nearest you today or click the online booking button to schedule an appointment.   

What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a type of heart disease that affects the flow of oxygen-rich blood through the main arteries in the heart. Without enough oxygen and nutrients, the heart can’t function, affecting the delivery of blood to the rest of the body.

The change in blood flow occurs from a buildup of plaque along the blood vessel walls, narrowing or blocking the passageway. Any blockage in blood flow through a coronary artery may lead to a heart attack. 

Plaque is made up of a mixture of cholesterol and other substances that circulate in the blood. Having high cholesterol increases the risk of coronary artery disease and is preventable with lifestyle changes.  

Does coronary artery disease cause symptoms?

Coronary artery disease takes years to develop and you may not have any symptoms until you have a heart attack. However, chest pain during exercise, called angina, is one of the early symptoms of CAD. The pain occurs because the heart is unable to get enough oxygen-rich blood. 

Shortness of breath and fatigue are other symptoms of CAD. If you have sudden chest pain that radiates into your back, neck, or arm along with shortness of breath or dizziness, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for a heart attack evaluation.

What tests diagnose coronary artery disease?

At Apex Heart & Vascular Center, the team conducts a comprehensive history and physical exam to determine what tests you need to confirm or rule out CAD. 

Testing may include:

• Bloodwork
• Stress test
• Echocardiogram
• Nuclear stress test

Imaging tests like the echocardiogram and nuclear stress test provide pictures of the heart and arteries, pinpointing areas of narrowing or blockages. 

What is life like with coronary artery disease?

You can live a full and active life with CAD. However, you may need to make lifestyle changes to improve heart health and prevent or reduce further plaque buildup. 

Treatment for CAD may include:

• Heart-healthy diet
• Fitness program
• Weight loss
• Smoking cessation
• Stress management
• Medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol

The board-certified cardiologists at Apex Heart & Vascular Center may also perform interventional procedures such as angioplasty and stenting to open the blood vessels and improve blood flow through the heart.

CAD is preventable and manageable. For expert care, call Apex Heart & Vascular Center today or book an appointment online.