Coronary Artery Disease 101

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Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease

Having a family member with heart disease increases your chances of getting CAD. In addition, advancing age is a risk factor for CAD:

• For men, the increased risk starts at age 45.
• For women, the increased risk starts at age 55.

Other risk factors include:

• smoking
• high blood pressure
• high LDL (bad) cholesterol
• obesity
• diabetes
• physical inactivity

Coronary Artery Disease Treatment and Prevention
CAD treatment falls into two categories: medical and lifestyle.

After a series of tests, your doctor will suggest medical treatment to match the severity of your disease, such as:

• Medications to thin your blood, ease chest pain, or lower your heart rate, blood pressure, or cholesterol.
• Angioplasty surgery to improve the blood flow to your heart by dilating the artery with a small balloon; sometimes an inserted stent holds the artery open.
• Coronary artery bypass surgery to bypass the clogged coronary artery.

To treat and also help prevent CAD, healthy lifestyle choices are important. Modifications you should make:

• Stop smoking.
• Eat a healthful, low-fat diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Reduce stress.
• Control your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose.