About this topic
Normally, you have many blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is a condition where these arteries may be blocked a little or all the way. Fatty materials and cholesterol are stuck inside the arteries and block blood flow. When these arteries are blocked, less oxygen gets to the heart. This may cause chest pain. If the blockage is bad enough, it can cause a heart attack. ‚
CAD can cause serious heart problems. CAD may be treated and managed. You may need drugs and lifestyle changes. The doctor may suggest surgery for very bad cases of CAD. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Talk to your doctor about what drugs you will need to take. Be sure to take them as ordered.
- Ask for a diet consult before you go home. This will help you monitor your cholesterol level and sugar level. Ask your dietitian and doctor what foods are healthy for you.
- Ask your doctor for ways to control your blood pressure.
- Stop smoking. This will help relax the blood vessels in your body.
- Stop or limit drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Find a way to manage stress. You may practice relaxation methods such as reflection, breathing, and muscle relaxation.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- Your doctor may suggest you go to a heart rehab center for more care.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower blood pressure
- Prevent blood clots
- Slow your heart rate
- Lower cholesterol
- Relieve heart pain
Will physical activity be limited?
Physical activities may be limited until you are fully recovered. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Eat fruits and vegetables.
- Eat whole grain products such as whole grain cereals and bread.
- Eat lean meat like poultry and fish.
- Eat food low in fat.
- Drink low-fat milk and low-fat milk products.
- Avoid fatty or greasy food.
- Avoid foods high in salt and sugar.
What problems could happen?
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Cardiac arrest
- Weakening of the heart
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Eat a heart healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Lose weight or keep a healthy weight.
- Stop smoking. Avoid alcohol.
- Lower stress.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
Join support groups to get to know other people who have coped with the condition. This may help relieve your stress and anxiety. ‚
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you why it is important to stop smoking.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.
Where can I learn more?
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease.printerview.all.html ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/cad/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚