 What is coronary artery disease (CAD)? |
| Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (coronary arteries) become hardened and narrowed. The arteries harden and become narrow due to the buildup of plaque on the inner walls or lining of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Blood flow to the heart is reduced as plaque narrows the coronary arteries. This decreases the oxygen supply to the heart muscle. |
| What are the risk factors for CAD? |
| Controllable risk factors include: High Cholesterol, Hypertension, Smoking, Diabetes, Obesity, Lack of physical activity, Stress. Uncontrollable risk factors include: Gender, Advancing Age, Family History, Race, Genetics. |
| What are the symptoms of CAD? |
| Chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath are often the first signs of coronary artery disease. Some people don't know that they have CAD until they have a heart attack. |
| What tests are used to diagnose CAD? |
| Computed tomography (CT), Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Stress test, Echocardiography, and Coronary angiography. |
| What are the treatments for CAD? |
| Primarily there are three main treatments "?¢¬Ĭì medical therapy, percutaneous interventions, and bypass surgery. |
| What medicines are used to treat CAD? |
| Common types of medicines used are nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, and calcium antagonists. Medicines are also used to treat an elevated blood cholesterol level and to control diabetes, if needed. |
| What is angioplasty? |
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Angioplasty is the technique of widening the blocked artery with a balloon. During this procedure, a balloon-tipped tube is fed through a plastic tube called a sheath that is placed in the groin or the arm and directed into the coronary artery. When the balloon is positioned at the site of the blockage, it is inflated and deflated several times. The balloon stretches the artery and flattens the fatty deposits against the wall of the artery, leaving a wider path for blood to flow to the heart.
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| How long will my hospitalization be? |
| If you have a diagnostic angiogram you will go home the same day. If you receive an intervention (angioplasty or stent) you will stay over one night. |
| If I have more than one blockage will they be treated in the same setting? |
| That depends; we may stage your procedures over a period of time due to the amount of contrast dye used and to protect your kidneys. |
| Do I need a referral? |
| It depends on your health insurance. An interventional cardiologist is a sub-specialist and often requires a referral from your primary care physicians. To be safe you should call you health insurance and confirm. |
| Will my doctor know what was done to me? |
| Yes, your referring physician will be contacted on the same day as your procedure with an update on what was done. |
| Will I have to come back to see a CIVT doctor after my procedure? |
| Probably not, you will be instructed to make a follow-up appointment with your primary cardiologist within 1 - 2 weeks of your procedure. |
| What is a clinical trial? |
| A clinical trial is a study in humans designed to answer a specific question about the safety or efficacy of a drug, a device, or a type of intervention. |
