Coronary Artery Disease

The symptoms of coronary artery disease are angina (say "ANN-juh-nuh" or "ann-JY-nuh") and shortness of breath. Symptoms can happen when the heart is working hard and does not get enough oxygen, such as during exercise. Some people don't have any symptoms.

People feel angina symptoms in different ways. Symptoms include chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest. Some people feel pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms. Other symptoms of angina include nausea or vomiting, lightheadedness or sudden weakness, and a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Angina can be stable or unstable. Stable angina means that you can usually predict when your symptoms will happen. Unstable angina means that your symptoms have changed from your typical pattern of stable angina. It may be a heart attack.

Coronary artery disease is caused by a process called hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits called plaque build up inside arteries. Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. When plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (the coronary arteries), it is called coronary artery disease. Over time, the plaque may narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow to the heart muscle.

• Do not smoke. It may be the best thing you can do to prevent coronary artery disease. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
• Be active. Try to do moderate activity at least 2½ hours a week. Or try to do vigorous activity at least 1¼ hours a week. You may want to walk or try other activities, such as running, swimming, cycling, or playing tennis or team sports.
• Eat heart-healthy foods. Eat more fruits and vegetables and less food that contains saturated and trans fats. Limit alcohol, sodium, and sweets.
• Stay at a healthy weight. Lose weight if you need to.
• Manage other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms, personal health history, and family medical history.

During the physical exam, your doctor will check many things. These include checking your blood pressure and listening to your heart and lungs.

You will likely have tests to check how well your heart is working and check blood flow to your heart muscle. Examples of tests include an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, stress tests, a cardiac perfusion scan, and a CT angiogram.

Heart disease can bring a lot of changes in how you manage your health. But with friends, family, and your care team helping you along the way, making these changes can feel more possible.

Support from others can be little things that mean a lot. Or it can be a big thing that makes a huge difference.

Support helps you feel:

• Strong enough to make heart-healthy changes.
• Confident, especially when you feel unsure.
• Connected to other people.

Can you think of what else support could do for you?

Chances are that you are taking care of yourself quite well. But maybe a little support could make it easier.

So reach out to others, and ask for help. A support system can give you a boost when you need it most.

Your doctor will do a physical exam and ask questions about your symptoms, personal health history, and family medical history.

During the physical exam, your doctor will check many things. These include checking your blood pressure and listening to your heart and lungs.

You will likely have tests to check how well your heart is working and check blood flow to your heart muscle. Examples of tests include an electrocardiogram, an echocardiogram, stress tests, a cardiac perfusion scan, and a CT angiogram.

There are many things you can do to feel better, prevent problems, and stay healthy longer.

You can lower your risk for heart attack and stroke by making lifestyle changes and taking medicine. A heart-healthy lifestyle can also improve the quality and length of your life.

Take medicine properly.

Take your medicine exactly as directed. You may take several medicines.

Have a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Eat healthy foods, be active, stay at a healthy weight, and don't smoke.

Manage angina symptoms.

If you have angina, pay attention to your symptoms and know when to call a doctor or get emergency help.

Manage and prevent other health problems.

Manage diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Get vaccinated against COVID-19, the flu, and pneumonia. Get help for depression. Get help if you think you may have a problem with alcohol or drug use.

Take other steps to stay healthy.

For example, manage stress and limit alcohol.