Coronary Artery Stenosis: Warning Signs, Symptoms, Prevention, and Treatment

Coronary Artery Disease: A Silent Threat That Can Claim Lives Unexpectedly

Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of death among Thai people. Many patients have no symptoms or warning signs in the early stages until a life-threatening acute myocardial infarction (Heart Attack) occurs. For this reason, preventive heart check-ups are key to detecting abnormalities before the condition worsens. This article will help you understand coronary artery disease, from symptoms, risk factors, prevention, and treatment, to heart health check-ups that everyone should know.

What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary Artery Disease is caused by the accumulation of fat and cholesterol on the walls of the coronary arteries, forming plaque that narrows the blood vessels. As a result, insufficient blood and oxygen reach the heart, especially during increased physical activity or exertion.

If the blood vessels become severely narrowed or acutely blocked, the heart muscle will be severely deprived of blood, leading to an acute heart attack, which is life-threatening.

Why coronary artery stenosis is dangerous

• There are usually no warning signs in the early stages; many people are unaware that their blood vessels are narrowing until an acute event occurs.
• It can occur suddenly; acute myocardial infarction can happen even in people who appear outwardly healthy.
• The chance of survival depends on time. The sooner treatment is received, the higher the chances of survival and recovery. Every minute counts.

For this reason, recognizing warning signs and getting preventive heart health checkups should not be overlooked.

Warning signs you shouldn't ignore

If you experience any of these symptoms, see a doctor immediately.

• Chest tightness or pressure, like a heavy weight pressing on it, usually in the center or slightly to the left side of the chest.
• Pain radiating to the left or right arm, jaw, neck, or back
• Unusually easily fatigued, even with minor exertion
• Palpitations, lightheadedness, dizziness, or feeling faint may co-occur, but are not specific to coronary artery disease.
• Profuse sweating, cold skin, and nausea may accompany severe chest pain.

Emergency: If you experience severe or unrelieving chest pain or tightness, or accompanying symptoms such as sweating, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or loss of consciousness, call 1669 immediately for emergency evaluation and treatment.

Risk factors for coronary artery disease

Controllable risk factors

• Hypertension
• Hyperlipidemia
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Overweight and obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Cumulative stress
• Eating high-fat and very salty foods

Uncontrollable risk factors

• Aging
• Men are at higher risk (but postmenopausal women have an increased risk).
• Family history of heart disease

It can be seen that most risk factors are controllable and modifiable. Taking care of yourself starting today can significantly reduce the risk.

Prevention of coronary artery stenosis

• Eat a heart-healthy diet focusing on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and reduce high-fat foods, fried foods, and very salty foods.
• Exercise regularly for at least 150 minutes per week
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Manage stress and get enough rest
• Control underlying conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol according to your doctor's advice.
• Cardiovascular risk should be assessed periodically, especially in individuals with risk factors. Additional heart evaluations may be necessary based on symptoms, risk level, and physician discretion.

What does a heart checkup include?

Heart health screening helps detect risks and abnormalities at an early stage before severe conditions develop. Doctors may choose various tests as appropriate, such as:

• Basic risk assessment includes blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, blood sugar level (Glucose/HbA1c), smoking history, and family history.
• Cardiac evaluation by a cardiologist includes
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) to evaluate heart rhythm and preliminary heart abnormalities
  • Echocardiogram to assess heart muscle and valve function
  • Exercise Stress Test evaluates heart function during exertion and can be used to help diagnose coronary artery disease.
  • Coronary Calcium Score screening is used to evaluate the amount of calcium deposited in plaque within the coronary arteries. It helps assess the future risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in asymptomatic individuals whose risk levels require additional information for prevention planning, and serves as an effective tool for disease prognosis.
  • Coronary angiography is an invasive procedure where a doctor performs cardiac catheterization and injects a contrast medium to directly reveal the location and severity of coronary artery blockages. It is used for patients with appropriate indications and allows doctors to plan or perform catheter-based treatment at the same time when appropriate.

Who Should Get a Heart Check-up?

• Individuals aged 40 and older should undergo periodic cardiovascular risk assessments.
• People with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood lipids, or smoking
• People with a family history of heart disease, especially occurring at a young age
• People who are overweight, lack exercise, or have accumulated stress
• People starting to show symptoms of heart disease, such as getting tired easily, palpitations, or chest tightness.

Heart health check-ups aren't just for those experiencing symptoms; they are a form of preventive care that offers peace of mind and allows for proper health planning. If you are in a high-risk group, you can check out our Heart Health Check-up Package details to plan your screening.

Guidelines for the treatment of coronary artery stenosis

Treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the doctor's discretion. Generally, it is divided into

Behavioral modification and medication

In all patients with coronary artery disease, doctors recommend lifestyle modifications combined with medication, such as lipid-lowering drugs, antiplatelet agents, and medications to control underlying conditions (diabetes, hypertension). This is to control risk factors, reduce the chance of recurrent disease, and provide prevention for high-risk patients who do not yet have coronary artery stenosis.

Coronary balloon angioplasty and stenting (PCI)

Doctors perform treatment via cardiac catheterization to dilate severely narrowed blood vessels when appropriately indicated, and may insert a stent to keep the vessel open at the narrowed site.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (Bypass Surgery)

Considered in certain patients with complex stenosis characteristics and locations, or multivessel coronary artery disease, where a surgeon grafts a blood vessel from another part of the body to bypass the narrowed area.

The appropriate approach varies for each patient, so evaluation by a cardiologist is recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does coronary artery stenosis have warning signs for everyone? Not always. Many people have no clear symptoms until an acute condition occurs. Preventive heart health checkups are therefore important, especially for those with risk factors.

Can young people get this disease? Yes. Although it is most commonly found in the elderly, it is increasingly being diagnosed in younger people, especially those who smoke, are obese, have chronic stress, or have a family history of heart disease.

When should you start getting a heart check-up? People aged 40 and older, or those with risk factors, should consult a doctor to plan a heart health check-up. You should not wait until symptoms appear.

Does intense exercise pose a risk of a heart attack? Regular exercise is good for the heart, but those with risk factors or who have never exercised before should consult a doctor and start gradually for safety.

Get a heart check-up before it's too late

Coronary artery disease risk can be reduced by controlling risk factors, practicing self-care, and receiving appropriate medical treatment. Early risk assessment helps enable effective prevention and treatment planning before severe complications occur.

Piyavate Hospital Heart Health Check Package. Start taking care of your heart and your loved ones' hearts with preventive heart health check-ups by specialists and modern technology. See details and choose the right package for you at Heart Health Check-up Package

If you are at risk or have abnormal symptoms, consult the medical team at the Heart Center, Piyavate Hospital. Hotline 1489, available 24 hours a day. Heart Center, Main Building, Ground Floor, Piyavate Hospital.