Coronary Artery Disease Specialist

More than 18 million people in the United States have coronary artery disease (CAD). It’s a type of heart disease that affects the flow of oxygen-rich blood through the arteries in the heart. Board-certified cardiovascular disease physician Sanjay Srivatsa, MD, and the team at Heart, Artery, and Vein Center in Fresno and Madera, California, provide comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for patients with CAD. To find out more about treatment for CAD, call the nearest office or book an appointment online today.

What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a type of heart disease that occurs when you have narrowing or blockages in the coronary arteries in your heart. Your coronary arteries pump oxygen-rich blood throughout your heart.

If you have a blockage or narrowing in these arteries, your heart muscle may not get an adequate supply of oxygen-rich blood, which leads to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. 

CAD occurs when you have a buildup of plaque (cholesterol, minerals, and other substances) along the wall of the blood vessels. If you have hyperlipidemia (too much fat and cholesterol in your blood), you’re at greater risk of developing CAD. 

What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease?

You can have CAD and not know it. The plaque buildup along the walls of the arteries occurs over many years. For some people, a heart attack is their first CAD symptom. 

Other symptoms of CAD include:

• Chest pain during exercise
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness or weakness
• Fatigue

If you have sudden chest pain that radiates into your left arm, shoulder, jaw, or back, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room (ER). These symptoms may indicate a heart attack.

What tests diagnose coronary artery disease?

Heart, Artery, and Vein Center is a state-of-the-art cardiovascular disease practice that offers many tests to diagnose CAD. Before making specific testing recommendations, the team conducts a thorough medical history review and physical exam.

Based on the information gathered, testing might include:

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An EKG measures your heart’s electrical activity. This test can determine if you’re having or had a heart attack.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that allows the team at Heart, Artery, and Vein Center to see the structure and function of your heart and how blood flows through the arteries. This test looks for narrowing and blockages in the arteries.

Stress test

During a stress test, your cardiovascular disease specialist assesses how well your heart responds when pumping harder.

What are some of the treatments for coronary artery disease?

The Heart, Artery, and Vein Center team customizes your CAD treatment plan based on the severity of your heart disease. Treatment may include:

• Heart-healthy diet
• Weight management
• Regular exercise
• Stress management
• Smoking cessation
• Medications to manage hypertension or hyperlipidemia
• Artery relaxers (nitroglycerin) for chest pain

The skilled cardiovascular disease team at Heart, Artery, and Vein Center may also recommend surgical interventions if you have severe narrowing or blockages. Surgery may include a coronary angioplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that opens the artery, improving blood flow.

For comprehensive cardiovascular disease care, call Heart, Artery, and Vein Center or book an appointment online today.