Coronary artery disease
Overview
Coronary artery disease develops when cholesterol and other material called plaque build along your arteries’ inner walls, limiting the heart's blood or oxygen supply. Also known as ischemic heart disease, it is the most common form of heart attack.
Common symptoms
- Chest pain (angina)
- Pain that extends to your shoulders, neck, arms, back or jaw
- Shortness of breath
- Heart attack
Causes
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
Specialty care
Treatment options
SIU Medicine Cardiology combines years of experience and specialized training to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease. Doctors may recommend a combination of therapies to manage and treat coronary artery disease, including:
- Angioplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that increases blood flow to the heart
- Aspirin, which helps prevent clots from forming
- Beta blockers, or medications that slow the heartrate, reduce the heart’s need for oxygen and improve the heart’s blood supply
- Bypass surgery which creates a new path for blood and oxygen to reach your heart
- Calcium channel blockers, which reduce the severity of chest pain and how often it occurs
- Lifestyle changes, including weight loss, regular exercise, stress reduction and dietary changes
- Statins, medications that help lower cholesterol and improve blood flow
