Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) Overview

C.A.D. Video

HOST ON CAMERA:
Hello and welcome to the Answered Patient.  I’m Jane Hanson.  If you’ve ever had chest pain, you know the sudden rush of fear that takes over. For over 15 million Americans, chest pain can be a red flag that you are suffering from heart disease. In this episode of the Answered Patient, you’ll learn about the most common form of heart disease, known as Coronary artery disease.  You’ll discover its symptoms, and who is most likely to develop it.  You’ll find out how Coronary Artery Disease is diagnosed, and the warning signs to look for in your everyday life. We’ll also give you strategies for preventing and treating this common condition before it strikes.

HOST NARRATION: Coronary artery disease, also known as C.A.D., is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women.  More than half a million Americans die each year due to CAD. And doctors stress that no one is immune.

Dr. James Flaherty: 
Some of the misconceptions are that you’re not old enough to have heart disease.  Since we deal with this every day, we routinely see people in their 30’s early 40’s that have heart attacks or substantial heart disease. And another misconception is that chest pain is caused by something else.

HOST NARRATION: C.A.D. is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart is partially or totally blocked. C.A.D. is caused by the gradual buildup of cholesterol and other fatty deposits in the coronary arteries -- the large blood vessels that feed the heart. Over time, this condition, known as atherosclerosis, can slowly harden and narrow the artery walls, decreasing the amount of blood the heart receives.    

Dr. Ian Cohen: The heart is an engine.  It requires fuel.  That fuel is blood.  That blood is delivered by the fuel lines which are the arteries.  If the amount of fuel that’s required is greater than the amount of blood that’s being brought in, the heart experiences pain. 

ADULT: The LED is actually…

HOST NARRATION: 
Doctors have identified a host of risk factors associated with C.A.D. Smoking…obesity…an inactive lifestyle…high blood pressure…and diabetes can all lead to the disease. So can high fat diets loaded with cholesterol. Men over the age of 45, and women over the age of 55, are more susceptible to C.A.D. So are African Americans.  

Dr. James Flaherty: Now on the flip side of that there are substantial number of patients that have very few or none of those risk factors um, but due to genetics primarily they could have coronary artery disease.

Dan Cole: My dad had a heart attack when he was 40. He uh, ended up ok, and he’s still alive today.

HOST NARRATION: Experts say that anyone with a family history of C.A.D. should see a doctor, even if they haven’t experienced any symptoms.  

Dr. Ian Cohen: 
Even if you’re a healthy person you need to take it more seriously than you would otherwise   ‘cause that family history immediately says in my genes there’s something that doesn’t process either cholesterol or blood pressure, or diabetes as well as it would if I, if I didn’t have this genetic trace. 

HOST NARRATION: 
While coronary artery disease afflicts both sexes equally, on average, women develop it 10 years later than men. Scientists believe this may be related to the decrease in estrogen levels that occurs during menopause – the risk of heart disease rises in post-menopausal women. 

Dr. Curran: And have you been doing your walking?

Patient: I have.

Dr. Curran: How far?

HOST NARRATION:
Most people with C.A.D. are diagnosed after they experience symptoms, or, in the most advanced cases, after they suffer a heart attack.  The most common symptom of C.A.D. is angina, or chest pain. Other warning signs are shortness of breath, a faster heartbeat, weakness, dizziness, or sweating. Doctors recommend seeking help at the first sign of symptoms.

Dr. Ian Cohen: It’s so important when there’s a concern to go see a doctor because I can tell you any physician would rather say,//everything is good, than say I wish you would have come and seen me a week ago. 

HOST ON CAMERA: For the millions of people living with coronary artery disease, it is critical to understand that it is far from a death sentence.  There are several proven treatment options available for C.A.D.

HOST NARRATION: A number of medications can be used to reduce heart strain…while others work by improving the flow of blood. In more serious cases, doctors might recommend medical procedures such as angioplasty, or cardiac bypass surgery. While C.A.D. is treatable, doctors stress that the best approach is to avoid it in the first place. Simple lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet low in saturated fats… regular exercise… and not smoking, can go a long way towards preventing C.A.D.  It’s never too early to start taking good care of your heart.

Dr. Flaherty: We can't change our age, and we can't change our genes.  But we can change our behaviors if it's putting us at risk for heart disease.

Dr. Cohen: The key issue is to prevent against developing heart disease and for every person, they have to look in the mirror and, and really get a sense of what their risk factors are.

HOST ON CAMERA: With coronary artery disease, the earlier it’s caught, the more options there are for treatment. In the other chapters of this episode, you can learn more about how coronary artery disease is diagnosed, and discover the way it impacts the heart and body. We’ll also tell you about the latest research into new and effective treatments, and give you some know-how on eliminating the risk factors in your everyday life. 

HOST NARRATION: In our “Personal Stories” chapter, you’ll meet real patients, and their doctors, and discover how they’re living with this condition every day.