Overview
Coronary artery disease affects the coronary arteries, which bring oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. Over time, these arteries can narrow because of plaque buildup, a process often called atherosclerosis. When the heart does not get enough blood, symptoms can appear, especially during activity or stress. In some cases, the first sign is a heart attack.
Key Symptoms
Symptoms may include chest pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort, sometimes called angina. Some people also notice shortness of breath, unusual tiredness, nausea, sweating, or pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, back, neck, or jaw. Symptoms can happen during exercise, emotional stress, or after meals, and may ease with rest. Some people, especially older adults and people with diabetes, may have mild symptoms or none at all.
Causes and Risk Factors
The main cause is plaque buildup inside the coronary arteries. Risk rises with smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight or obesity, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and long-term stress. Older age and a family history of early heart disease also increase risk. Conditions that affect blood vessels elsewhere in the body can happen along with coronary artery disease.
Who Is Affected
Coronary artery disease can affect adults of any background and is a major cause of illness and death worldwide. Risk generally increases with age, but younger adults can also develop it, especially if they have several risk factors. It affects both men and women, although symptoms are not always the same. Access to preventive care and treatment can also influence outcomes.
Prevention
Prevention focuses on lowering risk factors early and consistently. Not smoking, being physically active, eating a heart-healthy diet, managing stress, and getting enough sleep can help protect heart and blood vessel health. Regular health checks can help detect high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol so they can be managed. Following a healthcare professional's advice for long-term conditions is also important.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional may ask about symptoms, personal and family history, and examine the heart and circulation. Tests may include blood pressure measurement, blood tests, an electrocardiogram (ECG), exercise stress testing, echocardiography, coronary CT imaging, or coronary angiography. The choice of tests depends on symptoms, risk level, and whether urgent problems are suspected. Diagnosis aims to confirm reduced blood flow, identify blocked arteries, and look for heart damage.
Treatment Categories
Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medicines to reduce strain on the heart or lower future risk, and procedures to restore blood flow when needed. Some people may need coronary angioplasty with a stent or coronary artery bypass surgery. Treatment plans depend on symptoms, test results, other health conditions, and how severe the narrowing is. Ongoing follow-up is important because coronary artery disease is usually a long-term condition.
Living With It
Living with coronary artery disease often means balancing activity, rest, medicines, appointments, and risk-factor control. Cardiac rehabilitation, where available, can help people recover after heart-related events and build healthier habits. Tracking symptoms and knowing what triggers them can help people discuss changes with a clinician. Emotional health matters too, because anxiety or low mood can affect recovery and daily life.
Diet and Lifestyle
A heart-healthy lifestyle usually includes more vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, and less salt, trans fat, and heavily processed foods. Regular physical activity within personal ability can support heart health, circulation, weight management, and blood sugar control. Avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol are also important steps. People with symptoms should ask a healthcare professional what level of activity is appropriate for them.
When It May Be an Emergency
Seek emergency help right away for chest pain, pressure, or discomfort that is severe, lasts more than a few minutes, comes back, or happens with shortness of breath, fainting, sweating, nausea, or pain in the arm, back, neck, or jaw. Sudden collapse, severe breathing trouble, or signs of stroke also need urgent emergency care. Do not drive yourself if emergency medical services are available.