What causes the coronary arteries to narrow?
Coronary arteries become narrowed or clogged by plaque build-up
in the artery walls. Plaque is made of excessive cholesterol and
other substances floating through your bloodstream, such as
inflammatory cells, proteins and calcium. Over time, the inside of
the arteries develop plaques of different sizes. Many of the plaque
deposits are hard on the outside and soft on the inside. The hard
surface can crack or tear, exposing the soft, fatty inside. When
this happens, platelets (disc-shaped particles in the blood that aid
clotting) come to the area, and blood clots form around the plaque.
The artery narrows further and, in turn, less room for blood to flow
through the arteries. Plaque build-up in the arteries is called
atherosclerosis (atha-row-skla-row-sis), also known as "hardening of
What should you do if you have coronary heart disease?
When you have coronary artery disease, it is important to take care
of your heart. This is especially true if you have had an
interventional procedure or surgery to improve blood flow to the
heart. Procedures do not cure coronary artery disease. It is up to
you to take steps to stop the disease from progressing.
1. Know the symptoms for coronary artery disease
The symptoms for coronary artery disease include:
discomfort (described as numbness, heaviness, dull aching, or
burning; may radiate to left shoulder, arms neck, back or jaw)
Palpitations (a fluttering feeling, skipped beats)
Call your doctor if symptoms become more frequent or severe.
Call for emergency assistance if rest and/or medications do not
relieve symptoms within 15 minutes. DO NOT WAIT TO GET HELP.
2. Reduce your risk factors
Medical research has helped identify certain conditions, called risk
factors, which place people at increased risk for heart disease.
Non-modifiable risk factors (those that cannot be changed)
Older age - Heart disease is more likely to occur, as you get
Family history (including race)
Modifiable risk factors (those you can control)
High blood cholesterol
High blood pressure
Obesity or overweight
Uncontrolled stress or anger
Diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol
Drinking too much alcohol
If you have more than two of the risk factors listed, you should
discuss your risk factors with your doctor. Your goal is to decrease
your risk factors and lessen your risk for future heart disease
events. This is true if you do not have heart or blood vessel
disease, if you are being treated medically for heart or blood
vessel disease, or you have undergone a procedure (angioplasty,
stents, bypass surgery) for heart or blood vessel disease.
3. Take your medications
Medications are used to control your symptoms and help your heart
work more efficiently. Follow your doctor's instructions when you
take your medications.
It is important to know:
The names of your medications
What they are for
How often and at what times to take your medications
Keep a list of your medications and bring them to each of your
doctor visits. If you have questions about your medications, ask
your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Have procedures or surgery – if necessary
Invasive procedures (such as balloon angioplasty or stents) or
coronary artery bypass surgery may be needed to treat your narrowed
or blocked artery. These procedures increase blood supply to your
heart but they are not a cure for coronary artery disease. You will
still need to focus on reducing your risk factors to prevent future
disease development or progression. If these procedures are or have
been necessary, your cardiologist or surgeon will discuss the
specific procedure with you.
5. See your cardiologist for regular visits
Schedule regular appointments with your cardiologist (even if you
have no symptoms). Your appointments may be spaced once a year, or
more often, if your doctor feels you need to be followed more
closely. Your appointments should include a medical exam and
diagnostic studies (such as an electrocardiogram).
Call your doctor sooner if your symptoms worsen or become more
severe or frequent.