If you or someone around you is experiencing signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, or discomfort in the arms, neck, jaw or back, call 911 immediately. Do not wait or try to drive yourself to the hospital. Every second counts, and emergency responders can begin life-saving treatment on the way to the hospital.
Coronary artery disease, also known as CAD, is the narrowing of the coronary arteries. These arteries carry blood to the heart and other parts of the body. As the heart muscle is deprived of oxygenated blood, it leads to chest pain and other symptoms. It can also lead to serious health issues, such as heart attack.
This narrowing occurs due to atherosclerosis. This is a condition in which plaque – made up of cholesterol and other fatty substances – builds up along the walls of the heart arteries. As plaque accumulates, it can limit blood flow to your heart. This can cause a condition called coronary heart disease. In some cases, it can totally block blood flow, which can lead to a heart attack.
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease. According to the National Institutes of Health, the condition affects about 20.5 million adults in the United States. There are two main types of coronary artery disease: stable ischemic heart disease and acute coronary syndrome.
Stable ischemic heart disease is a progressive form of the disease. With this condition, plaque builds up slowly over time.
Acute coronary syndrome happens suddenly as plaque in a coronary artery ruptures and forms a blood clot. Because acute coronary syndrome can cause a heart attack, it requires emergency medical attention and intervention.
Whether you experience chronic coronary artery disease or an emergency condition, the team of experts at the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute is here to help, with advanced diagnostic tools and comprehensive treatment options.
Chest pain, also called angina, is the most common symptom of coronary artery disease. However, there are other signs you should watch for. Symptoms of coronary artery disease can include:
- Cold sweat
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Pain or tightness in the shoulders, neck, jaw or arms
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
Cardiac ischemia, which is a lack of blood flow to the heart, can lead to other symptoms as the condition worsens. It can also lead to heart attack and heart failure.
The prognosis for coronary artery disease depends on a number of factors, including the type you have and your overall health. Many people who have coronary artery disease can live long and healthy lives.
Those with acute coronary syndrome need immediate treatment to restore blood flow to the heart and limit damage to the heart muscle. Prompt diagnosis and treatment improve the chances of a positive outcome and recovery.
Likewise, effective treatment for stable ischemic heart disease can help restore blood flow to the heart, allowing it to pump blood efficiently. Treatment can also help limit the risk of further plaque buildup and blockages.
When it comes to preventing coronary artery disease, your everyday choices matter. While everyone experiences some level of plaque buildup in the arteries with age, you can take steps to limit that buildup.
A heart-healthy lifestyle can help you lower your risk of coronary artery disease and protect your heart. To start:
- Eat a healthy diet. Get plenty of fruits, veggies, lean meats, nuts, beans, fish and whole grains. Limit sodium, added sugars and unhealthy saturated fats.
- Get recommended vaccines. Ask your provider about flu, COVID-19 and other vaccines that can help you avoid illness.
- If you smoke, quit. Smoking can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke. Avoid vaping and secondhand smoke as well.
- Limit alcohol. Men should have no more than two drinks per day and women should aim for no more than one drink each day.
- Manage other health problems. Take medication and follow your provider’s guidance for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.
- Sleep well every night. Aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep per night.
- Stay physically active. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days a week. Talk to your provider about which exercises are good for you. Be sure to watch for signs that your heart is working too hard. If you become short of breath or dizzy while exercising, stop and rest.
- Watch your weight. Take steps to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
If you have any known risk factors for coronary artery disease, talk with your primary care provider about what other steps you should take to lower your risk.
While there are some risk factors for coronary artery disease that can’t be changed, such as age or family history, many risk factors relate to lifestyle habits. Controllable risk factors include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Eating a diet high in saturated fats
- Having a family medical history of heart disease
- Having diabetes
- Having high blood pressure
- Having unhealthy cholesterol levels
- Not being physically active
- Smoking or using tobacco
When it comes to family medical history, the specifics matter. Having family members who developed heart disease before age 50 greatly increases your risk.
As the area’s most advanced emergency department — and home to the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute — UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital is the preferred choice for patients experiencing emergency, life-threatening cardiac events. Whether you arrive by ambulance or are transferred from another hospital, you can rest assured that you are in the hands of the region’s most advanced interventional cardiology team.
By the time you get to the hospital via emergency transport, Emergency Medical Services or the team that facilitated your transfer will have shared your symptoms and any known diagnosis with our emergency department.
Patients experiencing heart attack symptoms bypass our emergency room and are taken to the cardiac catheterization lab to reduce the time it takes to start treatment. For heart patients taken to our emergency department, our team of emergency medicine doctors and interventional cardiologists are ready to provide imaging exams, bloodwork, additional tests or any needed emergency procedures.
Following emergency treatment, you may recover in our Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit before being transferred to your hospital room. Once you are ready to go home or to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, you will be assigned a UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute cardiologist for any ongoing care needed.
Our interventional cardiology team helps patients regain good heart health every day. We also participate in clinical trials to enhance interventional cardiology treatment and management in the future.
Our team engages in trials to investigate new advances. Because of this, you have access to the latest treatment options available.
If you’re a candidate for an ongoing trial, your care team will discuss this option with you.
CONNECT WITH US ON
SOCIAL MEDIA
