Types Of Coronary Artery Disease
3 main types of CAD are:
Obstructive CAD: It occurs due to significant blockage in the heart’s blood vessels, also known as atherosclerosis, resulting in restricted blood flow to the heart muscle.
Non-Obstructive CAD: This is not the result of atherosclerosis but other artery dysfunctions such as damaged coronary arteries, abnormal constriction, and microvascular dysfunction.
Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD): Sudden heart attacks occur due to the splitting of coronary artery layers without any evident underlying risk factors.
Treatment Options For Coronary Artery Disease
Effective management of CAD involves various approaches:
Lifestyle Changes: Adopt a heart-healthy diet, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, quit smoking, and limit alcohol.
Medications: Prescription drugs control cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and manage symptoms like angina with nitroglycerine and ranolazine.
Surgeries: The doctor may suggest a procedure or surgery that is best suited to your unique case:
Coronary Angioplasty or Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): It is a minimally invasive procedure to widen narrowed arteries with a balloon or a stent and improve blood flow.
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): This surgery reroutes blood flow around blocked arteries using grafts.
Recovery From Coronary Artery Disease
Most patients can resume normal activities within a few weeks after angioplasty or stenting, while CABG recovery might take longer.
Cardiac rehabilitation programs aid in restoring strength and endurance.
When Should I See A Doctor?
Consult a doctor if you experience chest discomfort, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or fatigue.
You may be at a higher risk of CAD if you have a smoking habit, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease. It is best to consult your doctor for a preventive health care check-up.
At Ujala Cygnus, we emphasize early detection and appropriate management as it significantly enhance heart health and quality of life.