Tests for Coronary Artery Disease

Angiography
Cardiac Enzymes /Blood tests
Cardiac Assessment
Cardiac Cath
Chest X-ray
Echocardiogram
EKG
Exercise Perfusion Test
Pharmacological Perfusion Stress Test
Stress Echo
Stress Test

Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease

The treatment for atherosclerosis starts with living a healthy lifestyle. Your physician may recommend the following:

  • Smoking
  • Exercise
  • Weight loss
  • Lower your cholesterol
  • Control stress
  • Cardiac Diet

Medications are also used to control risk factors for coronary artery disease. Be sure to follow your physician's instructions when taking medications.

  • Nitroglycerin usually works well to relieve chest discomfort from angina.
  • Beta Blockers reduce your heart's work during exercise by slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure.
  • Calcium Channel Blockers reduce the blood pressure - and sometimes the heart rate - during exercise. They also relax and widen the arteries to the heart muscle like nitroglycerin does.
  • Statins - This class of drugs works in the liver to prevent the formation of cholesterol. They are most effective at lowering the LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Other treatments:

Medications and lifestyle changes can reduce blood pressure, oxygen demand, and relieve excess strain on the heart, but they cannot clear an already blocked coronary artery. If your coronary arteries are badly blocked, your doctor may want to try one or more treatment methods.

Angioplasty
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Coronary Bypass surgery