What is coronary heart disease? 

Coronary heart disease means that the arteries that supply blood to the heart get clogged with fatty deposits. Other names for this disease are "coronary artery disease",just "heart disease", or ”atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease”.  This is a condition that puts you at risk for heart attack, heart failure, sudden death, and other forms of heart disease.

What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease? 

Many people with coronary heart disease have no symptoms. For those who do, the most common symptoms usually happen with exercise. This is called “angina”. The symptoms can include:

• Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the center of the chest.
• Pain, tingling, or discomfort in other parts of the upper body – This might include the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Feeling short of breath and sweaty.

What are the symptoms of a heart attack? — Sometimes the first symptom of coronary heart disease can be a full-blown heart attack. That's why it is so important to know how to recognize a heart attack. The symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• Pain, pressure, or discomfort in the center of the chest.
• Pain, tingling, or discomfort in other parts of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
• Shortness of breath.
• Nausea, vomiting, burping, or heartburn.
• Sweating or having cold, clammy skin.
• A racing or uneven heartbeat.
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.

If these symptoms last more than 10 minutes or they keep coming and going, call for an ambulance right away. Do not try to get to the hospital on your own.

As mentioned above, some people with coronary heart disease have chest pain even when they are not having a heart attack. This is most likely to happen when they are walking, going up stairs, or moving around. But if you have chest pain that is new or different than pain you have had before, you should see a doctor or emergency department right away or call the ambulance.

Is there a test for coronary heart disease? 

Yes. If your doctor or nurse thinks you might have coronary heart disease, he or she might order blood tests and one or more of these tests:

• An electrocardiogram ("ECG") – This test measures the electrical activity in your heart.  If the blood flow to your heart is decreased, the electrical tracing is abnormal, too.
• A stress test – During a “stress test”, which is also called an “exercise test” or “exercise EKG”, you might be asked to run or walk on a treadmill or peddle on a stationary bicycle while you also have an ECG. Physical activity increases the heart's need for blood. This test helps doctors see if the heart is getting enough blood by the changes in the EKG. If you cannot walk or run, your doctor might do this test by giving you a medicine to make your heart pump faster.
• An echocardiogram – This test uses sound waves to create an image of your heart as it beats.
• Cardiac catheterization (also called "cardiac cath") – During this test, the doctor puts a thin tube into a blood vessel in your leg or armand injects a dye that shows up on X-ray. This “lights up” your coronary arteries, so a blackage can be seen.This part of the test is called "coronary angiography." It can show whether any of the arteries in your heart are clogged.

How is coronary heart disease treated? 

The main treatments for coronary heart disease are:

• Lifestyle changes – Here are some things you can do to reduce your risk of heart attack and death:
• Quit smoking, if you smoke.
• Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and foods with a lot of fiber. Avoid foods that have a lot of sugar.
• Walk or do some form of physically activity on most days of the week.  Follow a gradually increasing exercise program that your doctor recommends. The cardiologists’ slogan these days is “exercise is the most powerful medicine that we have”.
• Lose weight, if you are overweight.
• Medicines – The medicines to treat heart disease are very important. Some medicines lower your risk of heart attacks and can help you live longer. But you must take them every day, as directed. Medicines your doctor might prescribe include:

-Medicines called statins, which lower cholesterol

-Medicines to lower blood pressure

-Aspirin or other medicines that help prevent blood clots in your coronary arteries

-Medicines to treat diabetes

People who have chest pain caused by coronary heart disease (called "angina") can also get medicines to relieve their pain. These medicines might include "nitrates," "beta blockers," and others.

Some people with coronary heart disease can also have:

• A coronary angiography procedure – During this procedure, the doctor inflates a tiny balloon to open the blockage. Then the doctor may leave a tiny mesh tube called a "stent" inside the artery to hold it open.
• Bypass surgery (also known as "coronary artery bypass grafting" or CABG) – During bypass surgery, the doctor removes a piece of blood vessel from another part of the body. Then he or she reattaches the blood vessel above and below the area that is clogged. This re-routes blood around the blockage, allowing blood to flow to better supply the heart. 

If your doctor recommends angiography or bypass surgery, ask these questions:

• What are the benefits of this procedure for me? Will the procedure help me live longer? Will it reduce my chance of having a heart attack? Will I feel better if I have this procedure?
• What are the risks of the procedure?
• What happens if I don't have this procedure?

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