Coronary artery disease is known by several different names, such as coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease, myocardial ischemia, and sometimes only heart disease. It is the blockage of the coronary arteries, which reduces the blood flow to the heart, and this is mainly due to the build-up of plaque in these arteries. What happens is that the blood flow to the heart muscles decreases. The build-up of plaque in the blood vessels of the heart is known as atherosclerosis, and this is one of the most commonly known cardiovascular diseases.  

There are many different types as well, which include myocardial infarction, stable angina, unstable angina, and even sudden cardiac death. It is a very serious condition, and there are many different distinct symptoms such as chest pain the discomfort of the neck, jaw, arm, or back. It also tends to feel like heartburn. Thus, the correct answer to the question: “How can you know if you have coronary artery disease?” would be that the person experiences the already mentioned symptoms during stress or exercise and, in addition, also experiences shortness of breath, abnormal heartbeat, heart attack. Sometimes, there are no symptoms.

The main cause of coronary artery disease

As mentioned before, the main cause of coronary artery disease is the build-up of plaque in the major blood-carrying vessels of the heart. Now, one might ask, what causes this build-up of plaque? This build-up of plaque is known as atherosclerosis, and it happens in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the muscles of the heart. This plaque is made up of cholesterol deposits. The deposition of plaque is highly dangerous as, over time, the plaque causes the arteries to narrow. This may happen due to one or all of the following reasons.

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• A dangerously sedentary lifestyle
• Diabetes or insulin resistance

Risk factors that affect changes in coronary artery disease

Many risk factors greatly increase the chances of coronary artery disease occurring. Let us take a look at them.

• Increasing age – An increasing age means that there are more chances of coronary artery disease due to narrowing arteries.
• Smoking – Smoking also increases the chances of coronary artery disease occurring. Passive smoking is highly dangerous.
• Sex – Studies show that men are at a greater risk of having coronary artery disease than women.
• Physical inactivity – A sedentary lifestyle may also result in corona artery disease.
• A stressful lifestyle –High levels of stress also can damage the arteries and thus increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
• Diabetes –Diabetes may also greatly increase the risk of coronary artery disease, and this is mainly in the case of Type 2 Diabetes.
• Obesity or overweight – Obesity and overweight also greatly increase the risk of coronary artery disease.
• Genetic reasons – Even family history has a big effect on the occurrence of coronary artery disease. It may be inherited from past generations and family members.
• High blood cholesterol levels –High cholesterol is caused by low-density lipoprotein, which is abbreviated as LDL. High-density lipoprotein, abbreviated as HDL, and known as HDL, may also contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.
• An unhealthy diet –Food items that contain high amounts of trans fat, salt, and sugar cab also greatly increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

Diagnosis of coronary artery disease

The correct answer to the question: “How to identify coronary artery disease?” would be that it can initially be recognized by the symptoms that have already been mentioned. It can then be properly and medically diagnosed by various processes such as electrocardiogram, coronary angiogram, coronary computed tomographic angiography, and also cardiac stress test. Let us take a brief look at these.

• Electrocardiogram – It is also known as electrocardiography and is shortened as ECG or EKG. It is a record of the heart’s electrical activity. 
• Cardiac stress test – It is shortened as CPX is the measurement of the heart’s ability to respond to externally applied stress in a clinically controlled environment.
• Coronary CT angiography –It is abbreviated as CTA and sometimes also as CCTA, and in this process, computer tomography angiography is used to medically assess the blood-carrying vessels of the heart.
• Coronary catheterization –This is a process that is minimally invasive and uses a catheter to gain access to the coronary arteries.

Medication 

There are many different kinds of medication for coronary artery disease, and they mainly include aspirin, beta-blockers, statins, and nitroglycerins.

Prevention and treatment 

Thus, the part that deals with “How do you know if you have coronary artery disease ?” has been solved. Now, the next part deals with the prevention and treatment of the disease. There are various ways to prevent the occurrence of coronary artery disease. They mainly include maintaining a healthy diet, not smoking, regular exercise, and also by maintaining a healthy weight. Treatments for coronary artery disease include percutaneous coronary intervention, which is abbreviated as PCI, and coronary artery bypass surgery, which is abbreviated as CABG.

Conclusion

Thus, the heart condition of coronary artery disease is a very serious medical condition, and unfortunately, it is not reversible. However, by following certain rules and norms, it may be avoided. In case it occurs, it can still be treated once it is properly diagnosed.