Coronary Artery Disease

Nearly 16 million Americans suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD) – the number one killer of both men and women in the U.S. This condition occurs when the small blood vessels that bring blood and oxygen to the heart narrow, reducing blood supply. This narrowing most commonly occurs because of a build-up of fat and cholesterol in the blood that sticks to the inner walls of the arteries (this is also called atherosclerosis). Over time, the build-up can lead to blockages and heart attacks, as well as other problems.

The Riverside Heart & Vascular Institute team are experts in diagnosing and treating coronary artery disease, giving our patients the best chance of a successful recovery and healthy life.

About Coronary Artery Disease

Although you don’t have control over all of your risk factors for CAD—gender, age and family history—there are some things you can do to protect yourself. You are more likely to develop CAD and other heart problems if you are overweight; smoke; have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol; or don’t exercise regularly. Luckily, heart-healthy choices can make a big difference.

Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease

Our experts use the latest tests and tools to diagnose CAD, including:

• Electrocardiogram: Sometimes called an ECG or EKG, this test measures your heart’s electrical activity through small pads (called electrodes) that are attached to the skin, which send signals by wires to a recording device.
• Stress test (also called treadmill or exercise ECG): A test that is given while a patient walks on a treadmill to evaluate the heart during exercise. Respiratory rate and blood pressure are also monitored. A stress test may be used to detect coronary artery disease and/or determine safe levels of exercise following a heart attack or heart surgery.
• Coronary arteriogram (or angiogram): With this procedure, X-rays are taken to locate the narrowing, occlusions and other abnormalities of specific arteries.
• Nuclear scanning: Radioactive material is injected into a vein and observed using a camera that moves through the heart, showing healthy and damaged areas.

Coronary Artery Disease Treatment

Although you don’t have control over all of your risk factors for CAD – gender, age and family history – there are some things you can do to protect yourself and help manage your heart health.

Lifestyle Changes

Controlling coronary artery disease can be successfully managed a number of ways some of which don't require medical intervention. Your cardiologist, together with you, may suggest lifestyle changes to manage the progress of the disease, such as:

• Changing to a low-fat diet
• Reducing your blood pressure
• Managing your weight
• Establishing and maintaining an appropriate exercise program
• Controlling your blood sugar if you have diabetes
• Quitting smoking

Managing with Medication and/or Minimally-Invasive Procedures

When lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to manage heart disease, our doctors will work to find the right medication (or combination of medications). These can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce the heart’s workload and prevent blood clots from forming and potentially causing a heart attack.

While successful and long-term treatment of coronary artery disease includes modifying risk factors and adopting healthier lifestyles, the interventional cardiologists at Riverside Heart & Vascular Institute specialize in minimally invasive procedures for treating coronary artery disease, as well, including:

• Coronary balloon angioplasty: Also referred to as percutaneous (through the skin) coronary intervention (PCI), this technique uses a tiny balloon to widen the inside channel of the artery and enable blood to flow at a normal or near-normal rate.
• Stenting: Uses a device called a stent to restore blood flow in the coronary artery. Like in an angioplasty procedure, a stent mounted onto a tiny balloon is opened inside of an artery to push back plaque and to restore blood flow.