Question 1

what are some of the consequences of coronary artery blockage?

Accepted Answer

Chest pain: There may be no symptoms but if the blockage is severe enough, chest pain, especially on exertion, can occur. Also heart attack or even sudden death. Therefore, good to see your doctor and be advised of your risk factors and ways to prevent coronary artery blockage.

Question 2

what are some of the treatments available for coronary artery blockage?

Accepted Answer

Treatment of CAD: Treatment falls into 3 categories. Medical therapy, angioplasty, and coronary bypass surgery.  Medical therapy with Aspirin and cholesterol-lowering medications along with other medications usually forms the basis of treatment with angioplasty (stents)  and bypass surgery reserved for those patients who do not respond fully to medical therapy.

Question 3

what is coronary artery blockage?

Accepted Answer

Usually atheroma: Usually cholesterol based but can also have calcium and fibrous material as well.Occurs when natural barrier called the endothelium is disrupted allowing these items to infiltrate and eventually block the artey.

Question 4

what are the causes of coronary artery blockage?

Accepted Answer

Several: There are a number of risk factors that lead to plaque in the coronary arteries which is the reason for the blockage. Some of these are smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, an abnormally high cholesterol, lack of exercise, and obesity. There are also hereditary factors.

Question 5

what tests are used to diagnose coronary artery blockage?

Accepted Answer

Invasive and non: Coronary blockage is defined as enough narrowing to cause symptoms, or to show up on a stress test. Stress tests look for signs of reduced heart muscle oxygen supply (e.g. Ekg changes during exercise, weak heart squeezing on echo, or nuclear perfusion defects). Angiography ("cardiac cath") is invasive, injecting dye into the arteries to image blockages, and stents can be inserted at the same time.

Question 6

does the ornish program apply to coronary artery blockage?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The ornish program of life style changes is certainly a good idea for someone who already had coronary artery blockage. It involves lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, stopping smoking, and stress management. It is not a replacement for treating your disease with medications where indicated.

Question 7

what tests are available to diagnose coronary artery blockage?

Accepted Answer

Several: If a cardiologist suspects coronary artery blockage the first step will be a very complete history.  A nuclear stress test is a common diagnostic test and cardiac ct angiograms are becoming more common.  The next step is usually a diagnostic cardiac catheterizaiton.  Also since approximately 80% of coronary artery disease, cad, patients have peripheral vascular disease, pvd, that will need eval to.

Question 8

how can coronary artery blockage be diagnosed by alternative medical practitioners?

Accepted Answer

Not easy: Even with state of the art technology at large cardiac centers its not 100%. Even with catheterization, ct scans etc its still not clear which plaque is vulnerable and could cause a future event. Alternative drs and homeopathic medications may have its place, but for a life threatening condition such as this i would stick to traditional investigations and treatment.

Question 9

what would left anterior descending coronary artery blockage cause?

Accepted Answer

Heart attack: It depends on how bad the blockage is. If severe it could cause actual damage, a heart attack. If less severe it could cause chest pain on exertion. If it is minor, there could be no symptoms at all. The symptoms can be chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue. As that artery supplies a large area of the heart muscle, it has been referred to as the widow-maker.

Question 10

what would cause a high coronary artery score and yet after a angiogram there isn't a blockage?

Accepted Answer

Not unusual: The calcium score is a  measure of calcium in the wall of the artery. An angiogram measures the degree of blockage in the lumen of the artery. A high calcium score is a measure of the risk of devolping obstructive coronary disease; it does not make the diagnsosis of obstructive coronary disease.

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What are some of the consequences of coronary artery blockage

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What are some of the consequences of coronary artery blockage?

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What are some of the treatments available for coronary artery blockage?

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What is coronary artery blockage?

A member asked:

What are the causes of coronary artery blockage?

A member asked:

What tests are used to diagnose coronary artery blockage?

A member asked:

Does the ornish program apply to coronary artery blockage?

A member asked:

What tests are available to diagnose coronary artery blockage?

A member asked:

How can coronary artery blockage be diagnosed by alternative medical practitioners?

A member asked:

What would left anterior descending coronary artery blockage cause?

A member asked:

What would cause a high coronary artery score and yet after a angiogram there isn't a blockage?

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