Cardiovascular Disease (Coronary Artery Disease, Myocardial Infarction)
What is Cardiovascular Disease (Coronary Artery Disease, Myocardial Infarction)?
Cardiovascular disease is a group of conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. Coronary artery disease happens when the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked. This narrowing is usually caused by plaque buildup, a process called atherosclerosis. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances found in your blood.
When coronary arteries become too narrow, your heart muscle cannot get enough oxygen-rich blood. This can cause chest pain called angina. If a plaque breaks open, a blood clot can form and completely block the artery. This causes a heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction. During a heart attack, part of the heart muscle can die from lack of oxygen.
Cardiovascular disease develops slowly over many years. Many people do not know they have it until they experience symptoms or have a cardiac event. The good news is that lifestyle changes and early detection can prevent or slow the progression of heart disease. Understanding your risk factors and testing your blood markers gives you the information you need to protect your heart.
Symptoms
- Chest pain or discomfort, often described as pressure, tightness, or squeezing
- Shortness of breath during activity or at rest
- Pain or discomfort in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back
- Fatigue or unusual tiredness, especially in women
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- Nausea, indigestion, or stomach pain
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Cold sweats
- Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
Many people with early coronary artery disease have no symptoms at all. The first sign can be a heart attack. Women may experience different symptoms than men, including fatigue, nausea, and back or jaw pain instead of classic chest pain. This is why regular testing and preventive care are so important for heart health.
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Causes and risk factors
Coronary artery disease develops when the inner walls of your arteries become damaged. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and diabetes all damage artery walls over time. Inflammation plays a key role in this process. Once the lining is damaged, cholesterol and other substances begin to stick to the artery walls. This forms plaque that hardens and narrows the arteries. Low levels of protective omega-3 fatty acids like EPA can increase inflammation and make plaque less stable.
Risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet, excess alcohol, chronic stress, and family history of heart disease. Age increases risk, with men over 45 and women over 55 at higher risk. Some risk factors like genetics and age cannot be changed. However, many risk factors can be modified through lifestyle changes and medical treatment. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fats, exercising regularly, managing stress, and avoiding tobacco can significantly reduce your risk.
How it's diagnosed
Cardiovascular disease is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and testing. Your doctor will ask about symptoms, family history, and risk factors. Blood tests can reveal important markers of heart health, including cholesterol levels, blood sugar, inflammation markers, and omega-3 fatty acids like EPA. Low EPA levels are linked to higher cardiovascular disease risk, while higher levels are associated with better heart protection and fewer cardiac events.
Rite Aid offers EPA testing as an add-on to help you understand your heart disease risk. Additional tests may include an electrocardiogram to measure heart electrical activity, stress tests to see how your heart performs during exercise, echocardiograms to visualize heart structure, and coronary angiography to examine blood flow in your arteries. Early detection through regular testing allows you to take action before serious complications develop.
Treatment options
- Eat a heart-healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish, nuts, and healthy fats
- Increase omega-3 fatty acids through fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, or supplements
- Exercise regularly with at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week
- Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke exposure
- Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and physical activity
- Manage stress through meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or counseling
- Limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink per day for women, 2 for men
- Control blood pressure and blood sugar through lifestyle and medication if needed
- Take prescribed medications such as statins, blood pressure drugs, aspirin, or beta-blockers
- Consider procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery for severe blockages
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- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Coronary artery disease is the underlying condition where arteries become narrowed over time due to plaque buildup. A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is an acute event that happens when blood flow to part of the heart is completely blocked. Coronary artery disease can exist for years without symptoms, but a heart attack requires immediate emergency treatment.
While existing plaque cannot be completely removed, research shows that aggressive lifestyle changes and medication can stabilize plaque and even reduce it in some cases. Eating a plant-based diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, and taking prescribed medications can improve artery health. The earlier you start making changes, the better your outcomes. Many people successfully prevent disease progression through consistent healthy habits.
Classic signs include sudden chest pain or pressure, pain radiating to the arm or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, and lightheadedness. Women may experience fatigue, back pain, or stomach discomfort instead of chest pain. If you suspect a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Quick treatment can save your life and limit heart muscle damage.
EPA is an omega-3 fatty acid that reduces inflammation throughout your body, including in your arteries. It helps lower triglycerides, stabilizes plaque to make it less likely to rupture, and may reduce abnormal heart rhythms. Studies show that higher EPA levels are associated with fewer heart attacks and lower cardiovascular death rates. You can increase EPA through fatty fish or high-quality supplements.
Most adults should have heart health markers checked every 4 to 6 years starting at age 20. If you have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, family history, or obesity, you should be tested more frequently. Your doctor may recommend annual or even more frequent testing. Regular monitoring helps you track trends and adjust your prevention strategy early.
Family history does increase your risk, especially if a parent or sibling had heart disease before age 55 for men or 65 for women. However, genetics are not destiny. Lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and smoking have a powerful impact on whether you develop heart disease. Even with a family history, you can significantly reduce your risk through healthy choices.
Focus on fatty fish like salmon and mackerel for omega-3s, leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocados, and whole grains. These foods reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and support healthy blood pressure. Limit processed foods, red meat, fried foods, sugary drinks, and excess salt. A Mediterranean-style diet is one of the most studied and effective eating patterns for heart health.
Chronic stress contributes to heart disease through multiple pathways. It raises blood pressure, increases inflammation, promotes unhealthy behaviors like overeating or smoking, and may directly damage arteries. Managing stress through regular exercise, adequate sleep, social connection, and relaxation practices is an important part of heart disease prevention. Your mental health and heart health are deeply connected.
Statins lower cholesterol and stabilize plaque. Blood pressure medications like ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers reduce strain on your heart. Aspirin prevents blood clots. Antiplatelet drugs like clopidogrel are often used after stents or heart attacks. Your doctor will choose medications based on your specific condition, risk factors, and how you respond to treatment.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling. You can break this into 30-minute sessions five days a week. Adding strength training twice per week provides additional benefits. Even small amounts of movement help. If you have been inactive, start slowly and gradually increase your activity level under your doctor's guidance.