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Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

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Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease and the leading cause of death in the United States. CAD is a blockage of the arteries that feed the heart muscle. When fatty material and plaque build up on artery walls, the walls narrow, making it harder for blood to flow to the heart. This can lead to heart attacks and other problems, and limit your ability to function normally.

The good news is that the condition can be controlled. Our skilled cardiologists use advanced techniques to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease and help you live your heart-healthy best.

Prevention & Detection

Knowing and controlling your risk factors for CAD can go a long way toward prevention. Start with our free and simple heart-health risk assessment. In just a few minutes, you’ll learn your personal factors and how you can take control.

If you think you are at risk for coronary artery disease, AtlantiCare’s experts can help. Our state-of-the-art detection and diagnostic tools can help catch the condition early and put you on the fast track to treatment.

Personalized Treatment Plans

Your dedicated care team at the Heart & Lung Institute will work closely with you to find the right treatment, which depends on your specific condition, personal history and overall health. Options may include:

  • Lifestyle changes: It’s not too late to make healthy lifestyle choices if you’ve been diagnosed with CAD. Your cardiologist may suggest changes to your lifestyle, such as weight management, quitting smoking, reducing blood pressure, exercising and managing stress. Take charge now with our nationally recognized Ornish Lifestyle Medicine™, free smoking cessation classes and more empowering programs.
  • Medication: When lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough to manage heart disease, our doctors will find the appropriate medication (or combination of medications) for your condition. These medications can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce the heart’s workload, and prevent blood clots from forming and potentially causing a heart attack.
  • Stenting and balloon angioplasty: Also referred to as percutaneous (through the skin) coronary intervention (PCI), this technique uses a tiny balloon to widen the inside channel of the artery and enable blood to flow at a normal or near-normal rate. Stenting restores blood flow in the coronary artery. Like in an angioplasty procedure, a stent is mounted onto a tiny balloon and opened inside of an artery.
  • Atherectomy: An atherectomy might be used along with or in place of angioplasty. A tool, rather than a balloon, is used to remove plaque buildup from your clogged artery. Your cardiologist may insert a stent to keep the artery open.
  • Coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG): Also known as heart bypass surgery, this procedure improves blood flow to the heart by taking a healthy blood vessel from the back of the chest wall or from an arm or a leg, and grafting one end onto the aorta (largest blood vessel in the body) and the other end past the blocked portion of the affected coronary artery. AtlantiCare offers “off-pump” or “beating heart” open-heart surgery, so the procedure is performed without stopping the heart, resulting in faster recovery and lower risk of complications. Depending on your specific condition, you may also be eligible for less invasive coronary artery bypass grafting.

Support for Every Step

In addition to our ongoing follow-up care, AtlantiCare offers the education, tools and resources you need for your heart-healthiest life. Explore our ongoing education and support programs, including free classes like Matters of the Heart, a monthly series where our cardiovascular experts discuss a wide range of topics and answer any questions you may have.

Educational Resources

What is Normal Blood Pressure?

Measuring your blood pressure is an important tool for tracking your health. If your blood pressure is too high, you're at risk for heart disease, stroke and other serious problems. When it's too low, you can have dizziness, fainting and other issues. But what is considered "normal" pressure?

Managing Your Cholesterol

If your doctor tells you your cholesterol is too high, you need to take steps to get it under control. It's important for your health. So take it seriously. You'll likely need to make some changes in your lifestyle. Here are some things that will make a difference.