We often hear about the importance of heart health and how to keep our hearts strong. But how much do you know about coronary artery disease—the primary cause of most serious heart conditions?
What is Coronary Artery Disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a medical condition where plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. This buildup, primarily made of cholesterol and other fatty substances, can harden, narrow, or block the arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle. CAD is the most common form of heart disease and a major contributor to heart attacks and other cardiovascular health issues.
Several risk factors increase the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease, including:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Family history of heart disease
- Age (men over 45 and women over 55)
Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease
CAD can develop gradually and often goes unnoticed in its early stages. Symptoms typically become more noticeable as the condition progresses. Some individuals may only experience symptoms during periods of increased heart rate, such as during exercise or stress.
Common symptoms of CAD include:
- Chest pain or angina
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeats or palpitations
- Nausea
Since CAD is closely linked to heart attacks, it can be challenging to differentiate between the symptoms of the disease and those of a more serious, potentially life-threatening event like a heart attack. If chest pain changes in intensity, lasts longer than 15 minutes, or does not respond to medication, seek emergency medical care immediately.
How Coronary Heart Disease Affects the Heart
CAD is the leading cause of heart attacks and can also result in other complications like strokes and heart failure. As plaque accumulates in the arteries, it can either slowly reduce oxygenated- blood flow or rupture suddenly, forming a blood clot that blocks the artery entirely.
Heart attacks, strokes, and other heart medical conditions can be life threatening, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen, making immediate detection and management critical.
Advanced Cardiology Care at Tulsa ER & Hospital
At Tulsa ER & Hospital, we are committed to helping our community recognize and address heart health concerns before they become emergencies. Early detection of CAD can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other serious cardiac conditions.
Our facility is newly equipped with the advanced CADScor®System, a non-invasive diagnostic tool that delivers results in 10 minutes or less. This state-of-the-art technology helps assess your risk for CAD with no needles, no discomfort, and no downtime. Using ultra-sensitive acoustic sensors and advanced algorithms, the CADScor®System listens to your blood flow, checks your heart rhythm, and evaluates arterial health. It even factors in important personal details like your age, gender, and blood pressure status. All this information comes together to provide a simple score that classifies your CAD risk as either low or elevated.
This innovative technology assesses your risk of coronary artery disease quickly and painlessly, enabling fast, accurate diagnoses. Whether you’re experiencing chest pain, fatigue, or irregular heartbeats, our team is ready 24/7 to provide the answers and care you need—with the latest tools and compassionate expertise.
Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Tulsa ER & Hospital and Nutex Health state no content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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