Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is the leading cause of death in America: every year over 500,000 Americans die of heart attacks or other complications of CAD. Also known as coronary heart disease, coronary artery disease occurs when the small arteries bringing oxygen-rich blood to the heart narrow, restricting blood flow. Lack of oxygen damages heart tissue and may eventually impair heart function.CAD is often... Read more >

CAD Anatomy

The heart needs oxygen-rich blood to function. Coronary arteries transport oxygen to the heart muscle. If the flow of oxygenated blood is compromised (a condition known as ischemia), heart muscle tissue can become damaged. Ischemia is the medical term for impaired blood flow to any part of the body. Coronary ischemia can lead to serious health risks such as a heart attack. Atherosclerosis Plaques, Ischemia and... Read more >

CAD Risk Factors

The risk of coronary heart disease increases when certain risk factors, both genetic and lifestyle, are present. Some risk factors, such as genetics and hereditary heart disease, cannot be avoided. Others, such as smoking, obesity, or a sedentary lifestyle, are conditions that people can control. Identifying risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD) and changing unhealthy lifestyle habits are essential for... Read more >

CAD Complications

A heart attack is the most talked about complication of coronary artery disease, but CAD causes other heart conditions, including angina pectoris, arrhythmia, and mitral valve prolapse. Angina Pectoris Angina is caused by coronary artery ischemia, a condition in which there is a reduction in the amount of oxygenated blood available to the heart muscle. As the oxygen needs of the heart increase, angina is more... Read more >

Diagnosing CAD

The three symptoms most commonly reported during emergency room visits are stomach aches, fever, and chest pain. Chest pain is potentially the most serious symptom, as it may indicate coronary artery disease or a heart attack. A range of diagnostic tools such as electrocardiograms, ultrasound, and angiography are used to determine the presence of CAD. Electrocardiogram: The EKG or ECG An EKG/ECG, or... Read more >

CAD Treatments

Coronary heart disease treatments have two goals: increase blood flow to the heart and reduce the strain on the heart. Medications such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are used to lower blood pressure and decrease the strain on the heart. Surgical interventions can expand narrow arteries or replace blocked areas with healthy blood vessel grafts. Medications: Beta Blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers... Read more >

Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy is a controversial treatment for heart disease, specifically for atherosclerosis, which is the fatty buildup of plaque in the arteries. The treatment puts EDTA, a man-made amino acid, into the body to chelate, or seek out and bind with, the calcium in the artery-blocking plaque. Once the calcium is removed, the rest of the plaque should simply break away, returning the arteries to their normal... Read more >

Healthy Exercise Tips

Preventing heart disease and heart conditions is extremely important for a person’s health, and there are many things that can be done to increase heart health, including eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Regular exercise’s effects include: Decrease in heart disease risk factors: Lowers risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, lowers weight and reduces overall body fat. Improvement of... Read more >

Self-Care for CAD

If you have coronary artery disease, your doctor has probably talked to you about lifestyle changes you can make to slow the progression of coronary artery disease. In fact, some simple lifestyle changes can keep people from ever developing coronary artery disease or heart disease in the first place.   Here are a few lifestyle changes you can make to keep your heart functioning properly. Preventing... Read more >

Heart-Healthy Diet

Eating a heart-healthy diet can reduce your risk of heart disease or slow the progression of such heart conditions as coronary artery disease. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can keep you and your heart in top condition.   Here are some tips on following a heart-healthy diet. Avoiding High-Fat and High-Cholesterol Foods One of the most important steps you can take to lower your... Read more >

Women & CAD

Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for adult women in the United States? It's also a main cause of disability. However, many women aren't aware of their risk for developing heart problems and many doctors aren't aware of the seriousness of heart disease in women.   It is important for women to educate themselves on coronary artery disease and to know how the disease is... Read more >