What are the symptoms of CAD?
If you have CAD, you may experience a number of disease symptoms including:
- Chest pain (angina)
- Shortness of breath
- Numbness in the arms and/or shoulders
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Profuse sweating
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symptoms.
How does my physician diagnose CAD?
Your physician will make a diagnosis of CAD based on your symptoms, risk factors, and results from a series of tests. Your physician may ask you to take a number of diagnostic tests including:
- An exercise stress test
- An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- A coronary angiogram
- An ultrasound test
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Diagnosis methods.
What causes CAD?
The exact cause of CAD is unknown. However, there are several risk factors that may increase your chances of having the disease. These risk factors include:
- Family history
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
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Who is at risk for CAD?
What are my treatment options if I have CAD?
If you are diagnosed with CAD, your physician will recommend a range of treatment options. First-line treatment includes lifestyle changes such as maintaining:
- A low-fat diet
- Moderate exercise
- Regular medication
- No smoking
Depending on the extent of the disease, your physician might also recommend the following treatment procedures:
- Angioplasty
- Stenting
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
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Treatment Options.
How can I change my lifestyle to prevent CAD or a re occurrence of atherosclerosis?
You may reduce the risk of CAD or the reoccurrence of the disease by adopting healthy lifestyle changes. These important changes include:
- Managing your high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and diabetes
- Controlling your weight and maintaining a low-fat diet
- Not smoking
- Maintaining moderate exercise
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Lifestyle Changes.
What can be done to prevent my arteries from re-narrowing (restenosis)?
Some people do have a risk of restenosis or a re-narrowing of their coronary arteries after being treated for CAD. Your physician may recommend a procedure called stenting designed to prevent your arteries from re-narrowing. A stent is a small mesh tube placed inside your artery to keep the vessel open. The device is a permanent implant.
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Last update: 31.07.2005
