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Learn about coronary artery disease

What causes it?

  • Fatty deposits called plaque build up inside coronary arteries of your heart.
  • Hardening of the arteries.
  • Plaque blocks blood vessels.
  • Plaque reduces blood flow to the heart muscle.

What are the symptoms?

  • Chest pain (angina).
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, upper belly, or in one or both shoulders or arms.

How is it diagnosed?

Specialized heart and blood vessel tests:

  • Electrocardiogram.
  • Echocardiogram.
  • Stress tests.
  • CT angiogram.

How is it treated?

  • Lifestyle changes.
  • Medicine.
  • Balloons and stents (angioplasty).
  • Finding a new path for blood flow (bypass surgery).

Reference: HealthWise

Geovany Lizarraga, MPH, CHES, Bilingual Health Education Specialist

Categories: Health Education Corner