A Closer Look at Coronary Artery Disease Treatment

Coronary artery disease occurs when fatty deposits called plaque narrow the major blood vessels that carry blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the heart. Eventually, the damage caused by these deposits leads to symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath. If an artery becomes completely blocked, a heart attack will result. Fortunately, there are coronary artery disease treatment options available.

Plaque deposits are typically caused by high cholesterol. In many cases, lifestyle changes can slow or halt the progression of coronary artery disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with coronary artery disease, you should quit smoking, eat a nutritious diet, exercise regularly, lose weight if you are overweight or obese, and take steps to reduce your stress. Some experts think that taking certain nutritional supplements can reduce inflammation that contributes to coronary artery disease, especially the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and fish oil, as well as in smaller amounts in soybeans, soybean oil, and canola oil.

Our doctor may recommend that you take a daily aspirin as part of your customized coronary artery disease treatment. This helps to thin the blood to prevent clotting. Prescription drugs used to treat coronary artery disease fall into several categories. These options can be discussed during a consultation at our office.

In some cases, surgery may be required to treat coronary artery disease. If you are at risk for coronary artery disease, taking the lifestyle measures mentioned above can improve your heart health. Risk factors include age, male gender, family history of heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight or obese, living a sedentary lifestyle, and high stress. However, sometimes, surgery may be the best option regarding coronary artery disease treatment.

If you think you may be dealing with coronary artery disease, the team at Cardiac Associates of North Jersey can help you. Schedule a consultation at our office in Oakland to learn about your various treatment options. It is important to understand that coronary artery disease treatment is not one-size-fits-all. The right treatment for you will depend on a variety of factors. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to learn more!