CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

🚀INTRODUCTION

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. It occurs when the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked due to Atherosclerosis. This reduces the blood and oxygen supply to the heart, leading to chest pain and other heart complications. CAD is a major cause of Myocardial Infarction worldwide.

📚DEFINATION

Coronary artery disease is the partial or complete blockage of coronary arteries mainly due to atherosclerosis, resulting in decreased blood supply to the heart muscle.

📢CAUSES

1.Modifiable Risk Factors

• Smoking

• Hypertension (High blood pressure)

• Hyperlipidemia (High cholesterol)

• Diabetes mellitus

• Obesity

• Lack of physical activity

• Unhealthy diet (high fat / junk food)

• Stress

2.Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

• Age

• Gender

• Family history / Genetic factors

• Ethnicity

3.Other causes

• Atherosclerosis (fatty plaque buildup in arteries)

• Coronary artery spasm

• Coronary artery embolism

• Inflammation of coronary arteries

🚫 COMPLICATIONS

• Angina Pectoris

• Myocardial Infarction

• Heart Failure

• Arrhythmia

• Cardiac Arrest

📈 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Due to causes (e.g., high fatty diet, heredity or other)

↓

Lipids / cholesterol deposition on endothelium layer of artery

↓

Formation of fatty streak

↓

Proliferation

↓

Formation of fibrous plaque

↓

Partial / complete blockage in coronary artery

🔼 SYMPTOMS

• Angina Pectoris (Chest pain or pressure)

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue / weakness

• Sweating

• Nausea or vomiting

• Pain radiating to left arm, neck, jaw or shoulder

👨🏻‍🔬 DIAGNOSIS EVALUATION

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)

• Echocardiography

• Coronary Angiography

• Cardiac Stress Test

• Lipid Profile Test

• Cardiac Enzyme Test (CK-MB, Troponin)

👨🏻‍⚕️TREATMENT

1. Medical Treatment

• Nitroglycerin – relieve chest pain

• Aspirin – prevent clot formation

• Beta Blockers – reduce heart workload

• Statins – reduce cholesterol

2. Surgical / Interventional Treatment

• Coronary Angioplasty

• Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

3. Lifestyle Modification

• Stop smoking

• Healthy diet (low fat, low cholesterol)

• Regular exercise

• Control BP, diabetes and weight.

📢Here’s a short “exam trick” version for Coronary Artery Disease — super quick points you can remember 🚀

CAD = Blocked/narrow coronary artery → ↓blood to heart

Causes/Risk: Modifiable – Smoking, HTN, DM, Obesity; Non-modifiable – Age, Gender, Family

Patho: Risk factors → Endothelial damage → Plaque → Narrow artery → Ischemia → Angina/MI

Symptoms: Chest pain, SOB, Fatigue, Sweating

Complications: Angina, MI, Heart failure, Arrhythmia

Diagnosis: ECG, Angiography, Stress test, Lipid profile, Cardiac enzymes

Treatment: Meds – Aspirin, Nitroglycerin, Beta blockers, Statins; Surgery – Angioplasty/CABG; Lifestyle – Exercise, Diet, Stop smoking

Health Education: Meds, diet, exercise, BP/diabetes control, avoid smoking/alcohol, check-ups

📢Here are the MCQs that may be asked in the exam style related to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD):

1.CAD mainly affects which arteries?

A) Pulmonary artery

B) Coronary arteries

C) Carotid artery

D) Renal artery

2.The main pathology of CAD is:

A) Infection

B) Atherosclerosis

C) Trauma

D) Tumor

3.The most common symptom of CAD is:

A) Fever

B) Angina Pectoris

C) Cough

D) Vomiting

4.CAD may lead to:

A) Asthma

B) Myocardial Infarction

C) Tuberculosis

D) Pneumonia

5.Which test records electrical activity of the heart?

A) X-ray

B) Electrocardiogram

C) Urine test

D) Stool test

6.Gold standard test for CAD is:

A) Blood test

B) Coronary Angiography

C) CT scan

D) MRI

7.Drug used to prevent clot formation in CAD:

A) Paracetamol

B) Aspirin

C) Antibiotic

D) Insulin

8.Surgical treatment for severe CAD:

A) Hernia repair

B) Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

C) Appendectomy

D) Cholecystectomy

9.Which is a modifiable risk factor?

A) Age

B) Gender

C) Smoking

D) Family history

10.CAD occurs due to:

A) Increased blood flow

B) Decreased blood supply to heart muscle

C) High oxygen supply

D) Infection only.