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Coronary artery disease is a narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries, primarily due to plaque buildup — a process called atherosclerosis. This can lead to reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, increasing the risk of heart disease and heart attack, or myocardial infarction.
Coronary artery disease, a form of heart disease, develops gradually. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
Coronary arteries are on the surface of the heart and supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. When they are narrowed, the heart muscle may not receive enough oxygen, causing symptoms such as chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath. For many, the first sign of coronary artery disease is a heart attack. If a piece of the plaque buildup breaks off and travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.
Coronary artery disease, a term often used interchangeably with coronary heart disease, is the most common type of heart disease. Over time, coronary artery disease can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure.
About 1 in 20 adults over the age of 20 have coronary artery disease, but many don’t know it until they feel chest pain, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute is a leader in coronary artery disease treatment. Norton Audubon Hospital, Norton Brownsboro Hospital and Norton Hospital have been accredited by the American College of Cardiology as chest pain centers with primary PCI, meaning they are available around the clock to perform percutaneous coronary interventions.
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute physicians are at the forefront of cardiovascular care such as the CathWorks system for faster PCI treatment. They lead numerous clinical trials into new and experimental treatments. That means patients can get early access to leading-edge therapies, and once the treatments are approved for broad use, our physicians are already deeply experienced.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, there are three general types of coronary artery disease.
Some of the risk factors for coronary artery disease can be controlled, while others cant.
Quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly and managing stress can address many of the modifiable risk factors for coronary artery disease.
Heart attack symptoms aren’t always what you may think, especially in women.
If you are at risk for coronary artery disease, your provider may encourage you to get a special CT scan that measures calcium levels in your coronary arteries. Calcium is a component of arterial plaque.
Other tests include a computed tomography–fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) . This tool uses CT imaging to create a 3D image that shows the extent of blood flow restriction through any potential blockages.
If you are diagnosed with a mild form of the disease or are at risk, treatment options can include lifestyle changes, such as exercise, a healthier diet and quitting smoking. Medication may be prescribed to address potential underlying causes. Medication to treat coronary artery disease typically involves two types of drugs: antiplatelets to prevent blood clots, and statins to protect the blood vessels.
A minimally invasive procedure — percutaneous coronary intervention, or PCI, may be needed to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. A more invasive option is coronary artery bypass grafting — open heart surgery that takes a vein or artery from elsewhere in your body and moves it to your heart to create a pathway around a blocked artery.
Norton Heart and Vascular Institute offers advanced care at all of our adult-service hospitals to save hearts and lives.
Norton Heart & Vascular Institute offers patient resources to support you and your family, including free classes for people of all ages who want to improve cardiovascular health or are living with a heart condition.