What is heart disease?
Heart disease is an umbrella term that includes any disease that affects your heart. This includes heart infections, congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, and coronary artery disease.
Cardiovascular disease and heart disease are often used interchangeably as if they mean the same thing. However, cardiovascular disease specifically refers to the narrowing or blockages in your blood vessels that lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina), or stroke.
What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease, is a type of heart disease buildup of plaque along the walls of the blood vessels that supply blood to your heart characterizes.
The plaque, medically referred to as atherosclerosis, is comprised of minerals and cholesterol. Over time, the plaque buildup causes a narrowing or blockage in the blood vessels, which may lead to angina or a heart attack.
What happens during a coronary artery disease evaluation?
The board-certified internal medicine team at The Heart and Medical Center and Urgent Care specializes in cardiac health and conducts comprehensive evaluations when you come in with concerns about coronary artery disease. Your provider reviews your symptoms, medical and family history, and performs a physical exam.
They may suggest various diagnostic tests if they suspect you have coronary artery disease to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. These tests include:
- Echocardiogram
- Holter monitor
- Nuclear stress test
- Coronary angiogram
- Carotid ultrasound
The Heart and Medical Center and Urgent Care may be able to perform some of these procedures at the office or inform you about them.
How is coronary artery disease treated?
The team at The Heart and Medical Center and Urgent Care develops individualized treatment plans for the management of coronary artery disease based on the severity of your condition and your symptoms. Treatment may include:
- Diet modification
- Weight loss
- Exercise program
- Stress management
- Smoking cessation
- Prescription medication
The innovative internal medicine practice also offers enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) treatment, which is an outpatient treatment for angina. During treatment, your provider wraps large blood pressure-like cuffs around your legs and buttocks, which inflate and deflate at set intervals between your heartbeats. The treatment increases blood flow to your oxygen-starved heart to help reduce chest pain.
EECP treatment takes an hour, and the team recommends treatment five days a week for seven weeks, or until you’ve completed a total of 35 hours. The benefits of your EECP may last up to two years.
For expert coronary artery disease care from a compassionate, patient-focused team, contact The Heart and Medical Center and Urgent Care by phone or online today.
