Early Signs and Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease

Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Heart Attack Indicators

Understanding Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent type of heart disease in the U.S. Fortunately, lifestyle changes and medications can delay or prevent CAD. At Advocate Health Care, our cardiologists provide top-tier care for preventing and treating heart disease.

What is Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease occurs when the blood vessels supplying blood to your heart become blocked or narrowed due to plaque buildup. This fatty substance accumulates in the coronary arteries, causing them to stiffen and restrict blood flow to the heart over time.

Early Signs of Coronary Artery Disease

In the early stages, CAD may not present noticeable symptoms. Some individuals may mistake mild symptoms for indigestion or other minor issues. There are also cases of silent ischemia, where the heart receives insufficient blood flow without causing symptoms.

As CAD progresses, you might experience:

• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations (racing, fluttering, or pounding heartbeats)
• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity

For some, the first noticeable sign of CAD is a heart attack, making CAD a leading cause of heart attacks.

Common Heart Attack Symptoms

A heart attack happens when the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked, requiring emergency treatment to restore blood flow. While symptoms vary among individuals, common signs include:

• Chest pain in the center or left side of the chest
• Discomfort in the back, neck, or jaw
• Lightheadedness or weakness
• Pain radiating through one or both shoulders or arms
• Sensations of squeezing, pressure, or fullness in the chest
• Shortness of breath, even without exertion

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

Women might experience heart attack symptoms differently than men. They often report:

• Anxiety
• Back pain
• Difficulty sleeping
• Extreme fatigue
• Indigestion
• Nausea

Due to these less specific symptoms, women might delay seeking medical help, increasing the risk of severe heart damage.

Common CAD Symptoms

Symptoms of coronary artery disease can significantly vary. Common indicators include:

• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Indigestion
• Irregular heart rhythms
• Severe fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling of the hands and feet

Women often experience different symptoms, such as pain in the middle of the back, unexplained shortness of breath, jaw discomfort, or burning sensations in the chest.

Responding to CAD Symptoms

Understanding when to seek emergency or specialty care for CAD symptoms is crucial. Quick treatment minimizes heart damage.

Seek Emergency Care for:

• Chest pain: Always call 911 for chest pain, especially if it’s generalized or on the left side, and accompanied by other heart attack symptoms.
• Heart palpitations: While occasional palpitations may not be serious, seek emergency care if they occur with chest pain or shortness of breath.

Consult Your Healthcare Provider for:

• Abnormal heart rhythms: Persistent arrhythmias should be evaluated to rule out underlying conditions like CAD.
• Fatigue: Severe or constant fatigue may require heart screening to diagnose or exclude CAD.
• Swelling of the hands and feet: While not always related to heart disease, persistent swelling should be checked by your healthcare provider.

Risk Factors for CAD

Several factors increase the risk of developing CAD:

• Age: Over 45 for men and over 55 for women
• Family history of heart disease
• Unhealthy diet
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol and triglycerides
• High BMI (over 25)

Managing CAD

Treatment for CAD can involve lifestyle changes, managing risk factors, medications, and potentially procedures or surgery.

Key Points:

• Lifestyle changes and medication can prevent or delay CAD.
• Recognizing symptoms early and seeking prompt medical care can reduce heart damage.
• Risk factors include age, family history, diet, inactivity, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, triglycerides, and high BMI.

By understanding and monitoring these symptoms and risk factors, you can take proactive steps to manage and treat coronary artery disease effectively.