Question

How coronary artery disease is diagnosed?

Answer 1

Hey there!

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So here are some methods by which coronary Artery diseases (CAD) can be diagnosed :

☆ Coronary Angiography :

• A catheter is inserted into an artery in the groin area or wrist.. And is threaded into coronary arteries.

• The process of insertion can be visualised with the help of fluroscope.

• After the tip of the catheter is inplaced a radio opaque (like x rays)
substance is released which flows into the blood and can be seen by fluroscope

• The position and size of the plaque is determined.
The radio graph of the artery is called "angiogram".

• The catheter can also be used to deliver clot dissolving (thrombolytic) drugs like streptokinase, TPA, and heparin.


☆ ECG (electrocardiogram) :

• ECG can also be used to diagnose CAD.

• In a standard ECG, 3leads are used... One to each wrist and one to left ankle /foot.

• The ECG contains various waves .....

-Wider QRS means heart blockage

- Increased P-R interval means delayed conduction in "bundle of HIS"

- Decreased P-R interval means Increased heart beat

- S-T segment elevation means Myocardial infarction.


☆Echocardiogram:

Now.. There are several types of echocardiogram :

• Transthoracic echocardiogram:

-This is the standard echocardiogram. It is a painless test similar to X-ray, but without the radiation.

-A hand-held device called a transducer is placed on the chest and transmits high frequency sound waves (ultrasound).

- These sound waves bounce off the heart structure and thereby enables the doctor to detect heart damage and disease.


• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE):

-This test requires that the transducer should be inserted down the throat into the oesophagus .

-As the oesophagus is located close to the heart, clear images of the heart structures can be obtained and the heart blockage can be detected.


• Stress echocardiogram:

-This is an echocardiogram that is performed while the person exercises on a treadmill or stationary bicycle.

- This test can be used to visualize the motion of the heart's walls and pumping action when the heart is stressed.


☆ Other tests :

Apart from the above mentioned tests.. Some other methods which can be used are:

☞ Radionuclide tests

☞ MRI scans

☞ CT scans

☞Blood tests


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# hope the answer helps!

Answer 2

How Does Coronary Artery Disease Develop?

From a young age, plaque can start to go into your blood vessel walls. As you get older, the plaque builds up. That inflames the walls and raises the risk of blood clots and heart attacks.

The plaque makes the inner walls of your blood vessels sticky. Then, other things, like inflammatory cells, lipoproteins, and calcium, travel in your bloodstream and mix with the plaque.

As more of these inflammatory cells join in, along with cholesterol, the plaque increases, both pushing the artery walls outward and growing inward. That makes the vessels narrower.



Eventually, a narrowed coronary artery may develop new blood vessels that go around the blockage to get blood to the heart muscle. However, if you’re pushing yourself or stressed, the new arteries may not be able to bring enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.

In some cases, when plaque ruptures, a blood clot may block blood supply to the heart muscle. This causes a heart attack.

If a blood vessel to the brain is blocked, usually from a blood clot, an ischemic stroke can happen.

If a blood vessel within the brain bursts, most likely as a result of uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), a hemorrhagic stroke can result.

Studies have found that taking low-dose aspirin each day may help prevent heart attacks and strokes in people who are 50 or older and at risk for heart disease.