Chronic coronary artery disease affects between 3% and 4% of the population.  Long-term care is provided by primary care physicians, internists, cardiologists, and heart surgeons. In India, the prevalence is predicted to be 54.5 million people. Heart-related disorder now account for one out of every four fatalities in India, with stroke and ischemic heart disease accounting for more than 80% of the burden. Patients with heart disease are more likely to develop the condition during their most productive years of life, with disastrous social and economic repercussions.

What Is Coronary Artery Disease?

Plague build up in the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart results in coronary artery disease. Plaque causes a narrowing or blockage in the arteries, potentially leading to a heart attack. Chest pain or discomfort, as well as shortness of breath, are common symptoms. Treatments may include: 

  • Dietary changes, 
  • Medications to address your risk factors, 
  • Surgery.

Who Is At Risk Of Getting Coronary Attery?

  • Family history of heart disease
  • Are a smoker
  • Are physically inactive
  • Are overweight
  • Have a high cholesterol level
  • Have high blood pressure

Common Symptoms Of Coronary Artery Disease

The most typical symptoms are chest pain or shortness of breath, which can occur even when doing nothing but climbing stairs. You may not realize you have coronary artery disease until you experience a heart attack. The following are signs and symptoms of a heart attack:

  • You feel exhausted.
  • Lightheadedness and dizziness.
  • Nausea.
  • Weakness.

Top 8 Coronary Artery Disease Treatment Options

Diagnosis Options

Catheterization of the heart. Done by passing a tiny, flexible tube through an artery in the groin, arm, or neck to reach the heart, it checks the inside of your arteries for obstruction. Health care experts can take blood samples from the heart and inject dye into the heart’s arteries and assess blood pressure and the strength of blood flow through the chambers (coronary arteries).

Pharmacologic stress test: Instead of utilizing exercise to test your heart when functioning hardest, medication is given to raise your heart rate and stimulate activity. Angina and coronary blockages can be detected using this test.

Coronary calcium scan: This test determines the quantity of calcium in your coronary arteries’ walls, which can indicate atherosclerosis.

Treatment Options

The doctor in charge will discuss the optimal treatment plan for you you. Always stick to your treatment plan to lower your risk of complications like heart attack and stroke that can occur due to coronary artery disease.

Medications 

The doctor will provide some medications to manage your condition best. Some of the most common medications include:

Medications to reduce blood clots, e.g. aspirin

Aspirin. a doctor could advise you to take aspirin or another blood thinner daily. This may help avoid coronary artery obstruction by reducing the tendency of your blood to clot.

If you’ve had a heart attack, aspirin can help you from having another one. However, if you have a bleeding issue or are currently taking another blood thinner, see your doctor before taking aspirin.

Medications responsible for lowering the blood pressure, e.g. angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)

These medications lower your blood pressure and moderate your heart rate, lowering your heart’s oxygen requirement. Beta-blockers can help you avoid having another heart attack if you’ve already had one.

Medication for lowering your cholesterol level, e.g. bile acid sequestrants.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs lower the amount of primary material that builds up in the coronary arteries. Cholesterol levels, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad”) cholesterol, fall as a result. Statins, niacin, fibrates, and bile acid sequestrants are among the drugs that your doctor can prescribe.

Medications to stop angina, e.g. ranolazine and nitrates.

Ranolazine. This drug may help patients who are suffering from chest pain (angina). If you cannot take a beta-blocker, it may be administered in addition to or instead of one.

Nitroglycerin. By temporarily dilating your coronary arteries and lowering your heart’s demand for blood, nitroglycerin tablets, sprays, and patches can relieve chest pain.

Lifestyle changes

Quit smoking – Quit smoking or using tobacco products. Inquire with your healthcare practitioner about options for quitting, such as programs and drugs.

Eat a diet that is good for your heart – Discuss methods to improve your diet to lower your risk of heart disease with your healthcare physician or a trained dietitian.

Increase your degree of physical activity. Exercising can help you lose weight, get in better shape, and relieve stress.

It is critical to adopt healthy lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, eating healthier foods, and increasing physical activity. These practices help to prevent coronary artery disease and its consequences, such as heart attack and stroke.