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What Is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

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By Editorial Team

3 min read

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a type of heart disease that affects the coronary arteries. These are arteries that supply blood to the heart. CAD is usually caused by atherosclerosis. This is when plaque builds up on the walls of the coronary arteries. Plaque buildup causes the coronary arteries to become narrow, making it harder for the blood to get to the heart.1-3

Symptoms of CAD

In the beginning, you may not notice any symptoms of CAD. Or symptoms may only appear when your heart rate increases. Common symptoms of CAD include:1,3

  • Chest pain
  • Pressure or tightness in the chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Extreme fatigue

If left untreated, CAD can lead to blocked arteries that stop the blood flow to the heart. This can cause a heart attack. Symptoms of heart attack include:1,4

  • Chest pain
  • Pressure or tightness in the chest
  • Pain that spreads to the shoulder, arms, belly, neck, or jaws
  • Cold sweats
  • Shortness of breath
  • Heartburn
  • Nausea
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Fatigue

Possible complications of CAD

CAD puts you at a higher risk for a heart attack. It also increases your risk of developing heart failure and irregular heartbeat.1

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Heart failure occurs when the heart becomes weak or damaged. The lack of blood flow caused by narrowed arteries can damage the heart.1

Also called arrhythmia, irregular heartbeat means your heart may beat too fast or skip beats. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common type of arrhythmia. It affects the top part of the heart and causes a fast and abnormal heart rhythm.1,5,6

Risk factors for CAD

Some people are at a higher risk for developing CAD. These people may have risk factors such as:1

  • Age – As you get older, the risk for CAD increases.
  • Family history – You may be at a higher risk if a close family member, like a sibling or parent, was diagnosed with heart disease at a young age.
  • Male sex – Compared to women, men are at higher risk for developing CAD. However, the risk for women increases after they reach menopause.

Certain health conditions also can increase the risk for CAD. These include:1

  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic kidney disease

In addition, some factors related to lifestyle can increase risk of CAD, like:1

  • High stress level

Diagnosis

Your doctor will look at your medical history and any symptoms you may be having. Along with a physical exam and blood tests, special tests are used to diagnose CAD. These may include:2

  • Stress test – During this test, you are given medicine or asked to exercise in order to increase your heart rate. Your doctor then monitors your heart to find any problems.
  • Electrocardiogram – This test checks how the heart is beating by looking at the electrical activity of the heart.
  • Echocardiogram – This test uses sound waves to see the blood flowing to the heart.
  • Heart CT scan – This test uses X-rays to look at the heart and coronary arteries to find any blockages. It also can show buildup of calcium in the arteries.
  • CT coronary angiogram – Here, a dye that can be seen with X-rays is used to get a better look at the coronary arteries.
  • Cardiac angiogram – This test uses a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) to inject a dye into the coronary arteries. As the dye moves in the arteries, X-rays are used to see any blockages in the arteries.

Treatments for CAD

Making certain lifestyle changes can greatly affect how CAD progresses. These changes may include:2

  • Eating a heart-healthy diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Reducing stress in your life
  • Avoiding smoking

To treat CAD, your doctor also may prescribe medicines such as:2

  • Blood thinners to prevent blood clots
  • Drugs to lower cholesterol
  • Drugs to lower blood pressure
  • Drugs to treat chest pain

Finally, your doctor may recommend surgery to help make sure your heart is getting enough blood. Surgical procedures may include:2

  • Cardiac angioplasty – a procedure to open up blocked arteries
  • Coronary artery bypass graft surgery – a procedure to create new paths for blood to flow to the heart
Treatment results and side effects can vary from person to person. This treatment information is not meant to replace professional medical advice. Talk to your doctor about what to expect before starting and while taking any treatment.

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