Coronary artery disease (CAD) happens when plaque builds up in the arteries around the heart, causing them to harden and become narrow. This can interrupt your heart’s blood and oxygen supply. Left untreated, this can cause a blockage in an artery — increasing the likelihood of a heart attack.

If you’re living with coronary artery disease, you might not notice the early symptoms. And women usually take longer than men to have symptoms — up to 10 more years.

Some common signs of coronary artery disease, also known as atherosclerosis, can include:

• Chest pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
• Extreme fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations

Heart problems don't always announce themselves. Some people have no symptoms at all, especially in the early stages of a heart condition. When you do have symptoms, they can include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, heart palpitations, dizziness or nausea.

In women, symptoms can be more subtle and may not include chest pain at all. If something feels off, trust your instincts and talk to your doctor.

Certain behaviors, risk factors and genetics can increase your chances of developing coronary artery disease. These include:

• Smoking: Tobacco is linked to causing blockages and narrowing of the arteries, which means restricted blood and oxygen flow.
• High cholesterol: Having high cholesterol levels, especially LDL or “bad” cholesterol, increases your risk for coronary artery disease.
• High blood pressure: One-third of American adults have high blood pressure, or hypertension, which can lead to narrowed arteries. Hypertension not only increases your risk of having a heart attack, but also a stroke, heart failure and kidney failure.
• Physical inactivity: Living a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk for coronary artery disease and other types of heart disease.
• Diabetes: Those with Type 2 diabetes have a greater risk of developing coronary artery disease compared to those who don’t have the condition.
• Being overweight: People who have excess body fat — especially around the waist area — have a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease.
• Family history: Having a family member who’s been diagnosed with heart disease prematurely (before age 55 for men or age 65 for women) puts you at higher risk for a heart condition.
• Age: Your risk of developing hardening of the arteries increases with age.
• Other risk factors: Chronic stress, alcohol consumption or having an autoimmune disease can also increase your risk.

In some cases, yes. While it’s difficult to fully reverse advanced coronary artery disease, research shows you can sometimes reduce atherosclerosis (the plaque buildup that causes CAD) with medication and the right lifestyle changes. Steps that may help slow or reverse CAD include:

• Quitting smoking
• Exercising
• Changing your diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Reducing stress
• Having emotional support

We offer screening tests that use the most advanced technology to better detect coronary artery disease in its earliest stages, when it’s most treatable. Some of the diagnostic tests your doctor may perform include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This non-invasive test uses small sensors attached to your chest and arms to record your heart’s electrical activity.
• Chest X-ray: This allows your doctor to see the condition of your lungs and heart and potentially rule out other causes of your symptoms.
• Echocardiogram: A wand-like device, placed on your chest, uses sound waves to create a video of your heart working.
• Cardiac catheterization: Your doctor inserts a thin tube into your heart for diagnostic testing and to check for any blockages. You may even be awake during this minimally invasive procedure.
• Stress test: This test involves monitoring your heart while you exercise.

This procedure restores the heart’s blood flow by opening blocked arteries. During an angioplasty, your doctor inserts a thin tube (called a catheter) with a tiny balloon into a blood vessel in your arm or groin. Your doctor then threads the tube to the artery, where the balloon inflates to gently widen the artery so blood can flow.

This is often done along with inserting a stent into the blocked artery. When an artery narrows due to fatty buildup, your doctor inserts a small wire tube (called a stent) to keep the artery open, improving blood flow to the heart muscle and symptoms related to blockages (angina).