CAD Disease: Causes and Symptoms

CAD Disease: Overview

• CAD stands for Coronary Artery Disease
• It is a condition where the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, become damaged or diseased

Causes of CAD Disease

• Atherosclerosis: the buildup of plaque (fat, cholesterol, and other substances) in the coronary arteries, leading to narrowing or blockage
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Unhealthy diet
• Family history of CAD

Symptoms of CAD Disease

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina) that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Weakness or dizziness
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach

Diagnosis of CAD Disease

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Echocardiogram
• Stress test
• Cardiac catheterization
• Blood tests to check for signs of heart damage or cardiovascular disease

Treatment of CAD Disease

• Lifestyle changes:
  • Quit smoking
  • Healthy diet
  • Regular exercise
  • Weight management
  • Stress reduction
• Medications:
  • Statins to lower cholesterol
  • Beta blockers to slow heart rate
  • Nitrates to relieve chest pain
  • Aspirin to prevent blood clots
• Angioplasty and stenting to open blocked arteries
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to bypass blocked arteries

Complications of CAD Disease

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
• Heart failure
• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)
• Cardiac arrest
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke)

CAD Disease: Overview

• CAD stands for Coronary Artery Disease
• Characterized by damaged or diseased coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart

Causes of CAD Disease

• Atherosclerosis: buildup of plaque in coronary arteries, leading to narrowing or blockage
• High blood pressure increases risk
• High cholesterol levels contribute to plaque buildup
• Smoking damages coronary arteries and increases risk
• Diabetes increases risk due to high blood sugar levels
• Obesity increases risk due to high blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Lack of exercise contributes to high blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• Unhealthy diet increases risk due to high cholesterol and blood pressure
• Family history of CAD increases individual risk

Symptoms of CAD Disease

• Chest pain or discomfort (angina) due to insufficient oxygen-rich blood to the heart
• Shortness of breath due to reduced blood flow to the lungs
• Fatigue due to reduced oxygen supply to the body
• Palpitations due to abnormal heart rhythms
• Weakness or dizziness due to reduced blood flow to the brain
• Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach due to referred pain

Diagnosis of CAD Disease

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to measure heart rhythm
• Echocardiogram to visualize heart structure and function
• Stress test to evaluate heart function under physical stress
• Cardiac catheterization to visualize coronary arteries
• Blood tests to detect signs of heart damage or cardiovascular disease

Treatment of CAD Disease

• Lifestyle changes:
  • Quitting smoking to reduce damage to coronary arteries
  • Healthy diet to reduce cholesterol levels and blood pressure
  • Regular exercise to improve cardiovascular health
  • Weight management to reduce risk factors
  • Stress reduction to minimize cardiovascular stress
• Medications:
  • Statins to lower cholesterol levels
  • Beta blockers to slow heart rate and reduce blood pressure
  • Nitrates to relieve chest pain by dilating coronary arteries
  • Aspirin to prevent blood clots and reduce cardiovascular risk
• Angioplasty and stenting to open blocked coronary arteries
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to bypass blocked coronary arteries

Complications of CAD Disease

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction) due to blocked coronary arteries
• Heart failure due to reduced heart function
• Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) due to cardiac damage
• Cardiac arrest due to severe cardiac damage
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA or mini-stroke) due to reduced blood flow to the brain