How to Identify the Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease



Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. It is a condition where the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked due to a buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries. This can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, heart attack, and even death. Identifying the symptoms of CAD early is important for preventing further complications and seeking proper treatment.

The most common symptom of CAD is chest pain or discomfort. This pain may be described as tightness, pressure, squeezing, fullness or burning sensation in the chest area that can last for minutes or hours and may come and go with activity. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness during physical activity that does not improve with rest.

If you experience any type of chest pain or other symptoms associated with CAD it is important to seek medical attention immediately as these could be signs of an impending heart attack. A doctor will perform tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), stress test or cardiac catheterization to diagnose CAD and determine if any treatments are necessary.

In addition to seeking medical attention when experiencing any symptoms related to CAD it is also important to make lifestyle changes that can help reduce your risk factors for developing this condition such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol levels. Taking medications prescribed by your doctor such as aspirin also helps reduce your risk factors for developing CAD by reducing inflammation in the arteries which helps prevent plaque buildup from occurring over time.

By recognizing the signs and symptoms associated with coronary artery disease early on you can take steps towards preventing further complications from occurring by seeking medical attention right away if you experience any type of chest discomfort along with other possible warning signs associated with this condition such as shortness of breath during physical activity that does not improve with rest . Additionally making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking , exercising regularly ,eating a healthy diet low in saturated fats ,and cholesterol levels along with taking medications prescribed by your doctor will help reduce your risk factors for developing this condition over time .

Tags:

Coronary artery disease, CAD, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, electrocardiogram (ECG), stress test, cardiac catheterization, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, healthy diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol levels, aspirin,

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