Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a blockage of the arteries that feed the heart muscle. If the blockage is complete, areas of the heart muscle may be damaged and/or die from lack of oxygen, which can lead to a heart attack. CAD is the most common form of heart disease and is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide.

Risk factors, which are those lifestyle habits that place a person at higher than average risk, include smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, unhealthful diet, physical inactivity, obesity and stress. Also, men older than age 45 and women older than age 55 are at increased risk, and men in general are at greater risk due to, on average, higher total cholesterol levels and higher blood pressure. African-Americans have a higher risk than white, Hispanic or Asian Americans, and their heart disease is often more severe. Genetic factors play a role, as well. You have an increased risk if you have a father or brother younger than age 55 or a mother or sister younger than age 65 who had a heart attack, sudden cardiac death, chest pain (angina) or coronary artery disease.

How is it diagnosed?
How is it treated?
How does Advocate Christ Medical Center make a difference?
Frequently Asked Questions

How is it diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for coronary artery disease may include any, or a combination, of the following:

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - a test that records the electrical activity of the heart, shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart muscle damage.

Stress test (also called treadmill or exercise ECG) - a test that is given while a patient walks on a treadmill to monitor the heart during exercise. Respiratory rate and blood pressure are also monitored. A stress test may be used to detect coronary artery disease, and/or to determine safe levels of exercise following a heart attack or heart surgery.

Coronary arteriogram (or angiogram) - with this procedure, x-rays are taken after a contrast agent is injected into an artery in order to locate the narrowing, occlusions, and other abnormalities of specific arteries.

Nuclear scanning - radioactive material is injected into a vein and then is observed using a camera as it is taken up by the heart muscle. This indicates the healthy and damaged areas of the heart.

How is it treated?

Specific treatment will be determined by your physician based on:

• your age, overall health, and medical history
• extent of the disease
• your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
• expectations for the course of the disease
• your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

• controlling risk factors
• changing to a low-fat diet
• losing weight (if overweight)
• establishing and maintaining an appropriate exercise program
• quitting smoking
• controlling blood sugar if you have diabetes
• reducing blood pressure
• Medications - statin medications that reduce cholesterol levels, prevent the progression of coronary artery disease, and reduce the incidence of heart attacks. Other medications may be used to prevent angina or treat other complications of coronary artery disease.
• Coronary angioplasty - with this procedure, a catheter is used to create a bigger opening in the vessel to increase blood flow. Although angioplasty is performed in other blood vessels, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) refers to angioplasty in the coronary arteries to permit more blood flow into the heart.

There are several types of PTCA procedures, including:

• Balloon angioplasty - a small balloon is inflated inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area.
• Atherectomy - the blocked area inside the artery is "shaved" away by a tiny device on the end of a catheter.
• Coronary artery stent - a tiny titanium coil is expanded inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area and is left in place to keep the artery open. Many stents used today are coated with medications that significantly reduce the chance that a new blockage will form at the site.
• Coronary artery bypass - a surgical procedure in which small portions of veins or arteries are taken from one part of the body and transplanted into the heart to bypass clogged coronary arteries in the heart.

How does Advocate Christ Medical Center make a difference?

Advocate Christ Medical Center has more experience treating coronary artery disease than any hospital in Illinois. We have leading experts in intervention, surgery and cardiology who have access to the most technologically advanced equipment and devices available. The program also offers the latest in coronary imaging, and boasts the state's greatest experience using the 64-slice CT scanner - the fastest and most accurate diagnostic technology for imaging the coronary arteries.

We have 60 cardiologists and 10 surgeons, many of whom are leading experts in intervention, surgery and cardiology, as well as dedicated and talented nurses and other support staff.

Christ Medical Center has four cardiac catheterization laboratories where more than 5,000 interventions are performed annually. We offer a full spectrum of advanced diagnostic and treatment services with the ability to accommodate emergency procedures 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Our interventional treatment center means patients don't have to be admitted to the hospital; rather, they are placed under 23-hour observation. This gets them in and out more quickly and allows them to be cared for by nurses dedicated to treating such patients. Weekly conferences are held with physicians, nurses and support staff from the catheterization lab to evaluate outcomes and look for ways to improve.

Back to the top