What is CAD?
A diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) can often be abrupt and alarming. Many people have been carrying on with normal day to day living without even realizing the symptoms they are feeling are related to the disease. This is because Coronary Artery Disease is a slowly progressing disease.
Just like all other tissues and organs in our bodies, our heart demands blood, oxygen and nutrients in order to function. Coronary Artery Disease is a broad diagnosis that describes the build up of plaque (which includes cells, cholesterol, fat and other debris) on the inner walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Usually this build up of plaque begins with a small defect in the artery that catches plaque, and can lead to a partial, or even a complete blockage of blood supply to a part of the heart. The importance of controlling these plaques can only be underscored by the staggering number of deaths associated with CAD: "406,000 in 2007" (Lehne, 2013).
Just like all other tissues and organs in our bodies, our heart demands blood, oxygen and nutrients in order to function. Coronary Artery Disease is a broad diagnosis that describes the build up of plaque (which includes cells, cholesterol, fat and other debris) on the inner walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Usually this build up of plaque begins with a small defect in the artery that catches plaque, and can lead to a partial, or even a complete blockage of blood supply to a part of the heart. The importance of controlling these plaques can only be underscored by the staggering number of deaths associated with CAD: "406,000 in 2007" (Lehne, 2013).
Coronary Arteries are shown in the picture to the right as the smaller red vessels that surround the heart. They supply everything the heart needs in order for the tissues to survive. One common area of plaque build up is at a juncture where the blood supply splits (as shown in the 50% and 99% blockage).
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This video will offer you a visual understanding of the process that occurs with Coronary Artery Disease. |
Using the picture to the left, imagine that an artery supplying blood was cut in half. The picture depicts a small tear in the wall of the artery which leads to the build up of plaque. It then becomes partially blocked which would cause symptoms including chest pain/discomfort, fatigue and breathing difficulties. Then, finally, the last image shows a potentially fatal complication of the disease, a heart attack. A heart attack is caused by a clot getting stuck in the plaque and completely blocking blood supply to an area of the heart (also call Ischemia).
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Risk Factors
Modifiable (Lifestyles)
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Non-Modifiable (Personal Characteristics)
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Symptoms
- Chest Pain/Discomfort
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Heart rate increase
- Palpitations (odd fluttering feeling in chest)
- Shortness of Breath
- Sweating