An angina attack can feel like a heart attack – sharp, squeezing pain in the chest that diminishes when the heart returns to a normal, resting rate.

While there’s usually no long-lasting damage from an angina episode, it’s often a clear sign of coronary artery disease (CAD) – the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death among men and women in the U.S.

More than 370,000 Americans die each year from coronary artery disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CAD is caused by a buildup of fatty plaque in the coronary arteries. The buildup narrows the pathway for blood to flow and reduces oxygen to the myocardium, leading to diminished heart functions and an increased risk of blood clots, a heart attack, and ischemic stroke.

Over time, the heart is weakened and can’t pump blood as well to the rest of the body; that can lead to heart failure or arrhythmia.

Risk factors associated with coronary artery disease include high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, physical inactivity, and a family history of the disease.

A physician can recognize the signs of CAD, and recommend lifestyle changes to improve heart health, such as a low-fat, low-salt diet and regular exercise. If necessary, prescription medication can be used to reduce the heart’s workload and increase blood flow through coronary vessels.

If lifestyle changes and medications aren’t enough, surgery may be needed.

During an angioplasty procedure, a balloon catheter is inserted into an artery and inflated to compress plaque. If a mesh stent is used, it expands and remains open after the balloon is deflated to keep the artery open and improve blood flow.

Anti-clotting medications are often prescribed after the procedure to decrease the risk of thrombosis.

In more serious cases, a physician will recommend a coronary artery bypass surgery. Arteries from other parts of the body, such as the saphenous vein from the lower leg, are used to bypass the blocked pathway and create an alternate route for blood to enter the heart.

Staff at Tampa Cardiovascular Associates are ready to help you make dietary and lifestyle changes to improve your cardiovascular health. For a free screening and consultation, call 813-975-2800 or visit the practice’s website.