Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a cardiovascular condition characterized by the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, disrupting blood flow to the heart.

The primary cause of CAD is the buildup of fatty plaques within the arterial walls, leading to atherosclerosis. This process progressively restricts blood supply to the cardiac muscle, potentially causing angina, myocardial infarction or even sudden death.

Risk factors for CAD include unhealthy lifestyle choices like poor diet, sedentary behavior, and smoking; as well as underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol levels.

Diagnosis typically involves clinical assessment combined with invasive techniques like coronary angiography and non-invasive methods like stress tests and computed tomography scans.

Treatment options range from lifestyle modifications including regular exercise and dietary changes to medication management with antiplatelet agents or lipid-lowering drugs. Interventional procedures such as angioplasty with stent placement or bypass surgery may be performed in severe cases to restore blood flow to affected regions of the heart.

Early detection and aggressive management are crucial in tackling this common yet potentially life-threatening disease.