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Serious severity
· Cardiology
Coronary Artery Disease
CAD · Narrowed heart arteries
Cholesterol plaques build up inside heart arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow. The first warning is often a heart attack.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Leading killer in India
- Typical age
- 40+ years
- Outlook
- Manageable with lifestyle + drugs
- System
- Heart
Reviewed by a practising cardiology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- High LDL cholesterol
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Diabetes, hypertension
- Belly fat and inactivity
- Family history before age 55
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Chest tightness on exertion (angina)
- Shortness of breath
- Pain in jaw, neck, back
- Heartburn-like discomfort
- Sudden cardiac event
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Statins to lower LDL
- Aspirin, clopidogrel (anti-platelets)
- Angioplasty with stent
- Bypass surgery if multi-vessel
- Cardiac rehab program
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Mediterranean diet rich in nuts and olive oil
- Walk 10,000 steps/day
- Quit smoking entirely
- Annual lipid profile after 35
- Manage diabetes tightly
Do’s
- Take statins as prescribed even if you feel fine
- Choose grilled over fried food
- Have lipid profile yearly
- Use a step-counter or smart-watch
Don’ts
- Light up "just one cigarette"
- Stop statins because of muscle aches without checking
- Ignore chest pain that comes with effort
- Crash-diet — sustain change instead
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all cardiology doctors Top 4 doctors for Coronary Artery Disease
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
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2
DP
3
DB
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.