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Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease

And Your Consultation for CAD or CHD

Many people with coronary artery disease may be asymptomatic until chest pain and/or discomfort sets in which is usually due to angina. Angina is caused by the lack of oxygen in the heart muscles. Thus the most descriptive symptoms of coronary artery disease may be chest pain and discomfort.

There are two types of angina – stable and unstable. Stable angina, or the predictable chest pains, lasts only for a few minutes. Rest or medication may immediately relieve stable angina. On the other hand, unstable angina, or the unpredictable chest pains, occurs unexpectedly. If unstable angina occurs when the person is at rest, this may indicate a rapid progression of CAD. This may also mean a higher risk of heart attack. It is advisable to see a physician, if you experience any of these symptoms or any other symptom you feel uncomfortable about. Other symptoms of CAD may include, but may not be limed to:

  • Tightness across the chest area.
  • Burning feeling or pressure underneath the breast bone.
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Sweating
  • Physical weakness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Lightheadedness

Please be reminded that the symptoms of a heart attack or cardiovascular diseases may be just as similar as those of a CAD. The main difference in the case of a heart attack is that symptoms may be more intense when compared to the symptoms of CAD in select cases.

Your Physician Consultation 

Your physician will evaluate your condition through a Q and A discussion and testing that may be similar to the pathway for diagnosis of any other heart diseases. Usually, the consultation consists of a series of tests, which may be simplistic in nature and/or more complicated. The decision for the number of tests and the complexity of the tests that an individual may require primarily depends upon three factors. These three factors relate to the risk factors of the individual, including: the medical history, the current symptoms the individual is exhibiting and family history of heart disease.  Diagnostic tests may include:

  • Routine blood tests to measure the blood pressure and the cholesterol level
  • ECG or the electrocardiogram test may be performed to measure and record the electrical activity of the heart. Almost half of the individuals who suffer from angina may have normal ECG readings.
  • Other diagnostic tests may be performed based on the history of the individual and the prerogative of the physician, upon careful observation of the patient’s symptoms. 

Next, Visit: Coronary Artery Disease Treatments

It is important to recognize that medications and medical procedures are associated with benefits and risks that should be discussed with your physician. It is important to recognize that all information contained on this website cannot be considered to be specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. As always, you should consult with a physician regarding any medical condition. Your Health Access disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.