The health of your heart and the arteries around it is essential to your quality of life. However, diseases like Coronary Artery Disease can pose a direct risk to your heart’s functionality and overall health. Fortunately, Coronary Artery Disease has signs that appear early on to help ensure you take appropriate measures to avoid it. For more information on Coronary Artery Disease, contact your cardiologist in Los Angeles.
What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary Artery Disease occurs when plaques form on the artery walls from cholesterol build up. This results in narrow blood flow to the heart, impacting its circulation. Circulation is important since blood needs to be effectively pumped to the lungs to get oxygen before moving on to the rest of the body. Therefore, if clots form in the arteries and hinder blood flow, it can have a negative impact on your body. In fact, these negative effects can even be fatal.
Who Does Coronary Artery Disease Affect?
Coronary Artery Disease affects 16.5 million Americans. In addition, the American Heart Association reports that about every 40 seconds someone in the US has a heart attack. It is also the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. However, there are some risk factors that are directly linked to Coronary Artery Disease. Advanced age is the first. It is more likely to occur after the age of 65 but has a higher likelihood of occurring as you get older. Another risk factor is family history. If heart disease runs in your family, then you have an increased risk of developing Coronary Artery Disease. See a cardiologist in Los Angeles for further instruction.
What are the Early Signs of Coronary Artery Disease?
While signs do not always appear immediately, there are some important symptoms to look out for. This will ensure that you are aware of early signs of Coronary Artery Disease and can immediately seek a treatment plan.
- Angina- This is one symptom of Coronary Artery Disease and it is categorized into three different types. The first type is stable angina. The second type is unstable angina. The last type is variant angina. Each of these generally involves chest pain characterized by squeezing, pressure, or burning. Depending on the type, the pain will vary in frequency and intensity.
- Dyspndea- This symptom manifests itself as shortness of breath. This is a result of the organs not getting enough oxygen.
- Heart Attack- Perhaps the most common symptom, a heart attack is a result of the heart muscle not having enough blood and oxygen. Symptoms of a heart attack can include chest discomfort, dizziness, shortness of breath, and nausea.
The early signs of Coronary Artery Disease can be much more extensive, so it is important to speak with a professional if you are feeling unwell.
What Treatment is Available?
Although Coronary Artery Disease cannot be cured, there are treatment options available to those who suffer from it. One of the most recommended and effective coronary heart disease treatments is implementing beneficial lifestyle changes. This includes, but is not limited to, eliminating smoking, eating clean, and sticking to a good workout regime. There are also medical procedures and medications available as well. Some of those medications include low-dose aspirin, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Procedure options include laser surgery, coronary bypass surgery, and angioplasty and stent placement.
Since Coronary Artery Disease can have fatal results, it is important to be familiar with what it is, what early signs are, and what treatment options are available.
Best Cardiologist in Los Angeles
To speak with the professionals on Coronary Artery Disease, contact the experts at Beverly Hills Vein Center. As the leading heart attack treatment center, our team is the one to visit regarding your symptoms and care.