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CAD

CAD, Heart Disease

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Facts

Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type of heart disease, refers to the narrowing of arteries that supply blood to the heart due to a build-up of a sticky substance called plaque. The heart muscle does not get enough oxygen when heart arteries are narrowed. If the heart is starved of oxygen, chest pain (angina) occurs. A piece of the plaque may break off and cause the body to form a clot on the damaged artery, cutting off oxygen to the heart and leading to a heart attack. A heart attack is medically referred to as a myocardial infarction (MI) and is one of the leading killers of both men and women.

Many of these deaths can be prevented because some risk factors for CAD are controllable. These controllable risk factors include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes. There are other controllable risk factors related to lifestyle, such as not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, reducing alcohol consumption, and being physically active.

Although medical treatments for heart disease have come a long way, controlling risk factors remains the key to preventing illness and death from CAD.

Causes

A low supply of oxygen in the heart is most often caused by atherosclerosis, also called "hardening of the arteries." In this condition, fatty deposits called plaques form in the linings of the blood vessels. The plaques make the arteries narrower as they build up, and less blood is able to get through to the heart, depriving it of oxygen.

Atherosclerosis is often the result of too much "bad" cholesterol (low density lipoprotein, or LDL) and triglycerides circulating in the bloodstream.

You are at risk for developing atherosclerosis and CAD if you:

  • have high levels of "bad" (LDL) cholesterol
  • low levels of "good" (HDL, or high density lipoprotein) cholesterol
  • have high blood pressure
  • are a smoker
  • have diabetes
  • have an unhealthy diet
  • lead a sedentary lifestyle
  • are overweight (particularly if you are obese in the torso or have a large waist circumference)
  • have a family history of heart disease
  • consume alcohol excessively

Occasionally, a genetic condition can cause atherosclerosis, leading to heart disease.

In Canada, men are twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease than women. 

Treatment and Prevention

Your doctor may prescribe any of these medication treatments:

  • Cholesterol-lowering medications can reduce the levels of "bad" (LDL) cholesterol in your blood while increasing the levels of "good" (HDL) cholesterol. Your medication will be chosen based on the amounts of various cholesterol types found in your blood.
  • Blood pressure reducing agents can lower your risk of heart attack dramatically if you have high blood pressure. These medications come in several types, and your doctor will advise which medication is best for you.
  • Antiplatelet medications prevent clots from forming. In some cases your doctor may recommend taking acetylsalicylic acid* (ASA) to reduce the chances of having a heart attack.
  • Beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and nitroglycerin-type medications are the three main classes of medications used to treat stable angina over time. Medications that treat angina help reduce the heart’s workload.

When aggressive treatment is required, your doctor may recommend a procedure to help improve blood flow. Some options include:

  • Percutaneous coronary intervention. This is also known as an angioplasty with stent. In this non-surgical procedure, your doctor uses a thin tube (catheter) to place a mesh tube, or stent, in the narrowed artery. The stent keeps the blood vessel open to allow blood to flow. Some stents also release medication that keeps the artery from narrowing.
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery. This procedure involves using a blood vessel from another part of the body to create a "bypass" or detour around the blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. Because this requires open heart surgery, this procedure is usually for people who have many blocked arteries or whose blocked arteries are in a place that’s difficult to place a stent.
  • Keyhole surgery and robotic procedures. These are newer, less invasive techniques recently made available from improvements in surgical technology. With keyhole surgery, chest incisions can be much smaller, and the operating times are usually much shorter. Robotic procedures involve pencil-sized robotic arms that hold specifically designed surgical instruments. Surgeons can watch a magnified 3D image of the operation, while the robotic arms mimic the movements of the surgeon’s hands.

Getting medication treatment isn’t the only way to combat coronary artery disease. Here are a few heart-healthy tips to help prevent CAD:

  • Quit smoking. If you smoke, quitting is the most important step you can take to quickly and significantly reduce your risk of developing CAD. 
  • Eat a healthy diet. It should be low in salt and fat (less than 30% of total calories) and high in fibre, fresh fruits, whole grains, legumes (beans), nuts, and seeds. Avoid trans fat and limit saturated fat, fried foods, and refined carbohydrates. Losing weight through eating healthy can also offset the risks associated with CAD.
  • Drink alcohol moderately. Have no more than:
    • 2 drinks per day (or no more than 3 drinks on special occasions) to a maximum of 10 drinks per week for women
    • 3 drinks per day (or no more than 4 drinks on special occasions) to a maximum of 15 drinks per week for men
  • Get your blood sugar under control. Diabetes increases the risk of CAD, especially if blood sugar levels are not properly controlled. Make sure you are monitoring your blood sugar levels every day and following your diabetes treatment plan.
  • Have your cholesterol levels checked regularly. Most healthy adults should have this done every 4 to 6 years. Everyone over 40 years of age, as well as anyone who has gone through menopause, should have their cholesterol levels monitored regularly, even if they do not have CAD or a history of high cholesterol. Adults of any age should get their cholesterol levels checked if they have certain risk factors for heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure, diabetes, family history of CAD, or conditions that increase their risk, such as arthritis). Depending on your risk for heart disease, your target cholesterol levels will differ.
  • Get regular exercise. Along with reducing the chances of having a heart attack, regular physical activity lowers the heart rate, improves cholesterol levels, and helps control high blood pressure. It can also help you lose weight. Consult your doctor before starting an exercise program, especially if you have any other medical conditions.
  • Manage your stress levels. This will also benefit those with high blood pressure. As well, it reduces the levels of some hormones that may increase the risk of having a heart attack.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2026. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Coronary-Artery-Disease

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