Our Services / Coronary Artery Disease

What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease develops due to blockages in your vessels that prevent blood from circulating freely. These blockages typically occur when cholesterol deposits (plaque) build up on the walls of your arteries.

Without sufficient blood flow, your heart doesn’t get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to stay healthy. This can increase your risk for physical symptoms that limit what you can do, and ultimately, a heart attack.

Factors that can contribute to coronary artery disease include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• High cholesterol
• Weight challenges
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

You may also be at increased risk for coronary artery disease as you age or because of a family history of the disease.

When should I seek treatment for coronary artery disease?

You may not experience symptoms of coronary artery disease until the condition progresses. If you have risk factors for the disease, you may need the routine screenings available at Heartwise Cardiology if you have risk factors for coronary artery disease but aren’t experiencing symptoms.

The providers also recommend a diagnostic evaluation for coronary artery disease if you have symptoms like unusual chest pain or shortness of breath.

They provide on-site blood testing, electrocardiograms (EKGs), echocardiograms, and other diagnostic services to evaluate your cardiovascular health. Testing can show high cholesterol levels and confirm blockages in your arteries that require treatment.

How is coronary artery disease treated?

If you have early-stage coronary artery disease or risk factors that increase your risk for the disease, the Heartwise Cardiology physicians may recommend lifestyle and diet changes that prevent a worsening of the disease, including:

• Smoking cessation
• Heart-healthy diet plan
• Daily exercise
• Weight loss
• Stress reduction

When lifestyle changes aren’t enough, the providers may prescribe medications to lower your blood pressure or cholesterol level. You may also need blood thinners to improve your blood circulation and prevent blood clots.

If you have coronary artery disease that puts you at risk for a heart attack or other complications, you may need surgery. The providers offer angioplasty and stent placement procedures to clear blockages from your arteries and improve blood flow.

You may also be a candidate for bypass surgery, a procedure to reroute blood from damaged and diseased vessels to healthy ones nearby.

To schedule a consultation for coronary artery disease, call Heartwise Cardiology today or book an appointment online.