All about coronary artery disease
Here, renowned consultant cardiologist, Dr Michael Hickman, discusses coronary artery disease in expert detail, including an outlining of the associated risk factors.
What is coronary artery disease, and how does it occur?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of death globally, which underscores the critical importance of early detection. CAD occurs when the coronary arteries, responsible for supplying blood to the heart muscle, become narrowed or blocked due to the build-up of plaque. This can lead to serious complications, including heart attacks. Early detection is vital for preventing these outcomes and improving patient prognosis.
What are the associated risk factors?
One of the primary strategies for early detection of CAD involves understanding and identifying risk factors. These include high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and a family history of heart disease.
Regular screening and monitoring of these risk factors can help in early identification. For instance, routine blood tests can reveal high cholesterol or diabetes, while blood pressure checks can detect hypertension.
How can coronary artery disease be detected?
CT coronary angiography (CTCA) provides detailed views of the coronary arteries even detecting the early signs plaque build up, the severity of artery narrowing, and the importance of any such narrowing. This data guides cardiologists as to whether just lifestyle management, a stent, or occasionally heart bypass surgery, is required.
Over the last three years, several AI assisted deep-learning tools have become available in specialist cardiac CT centres. These platforms assist in the reporting of cardiac CT scans (Artrya Salix), the assessment of physiological significance of any observed narrowing (HeartFlow), and the quantification of background coronary inflammation (CariHeart).
Using these advanced tools coronary CT can not only identify your current risk, but also accurately identifies your future risk of cardiovascular death if one is left untreated.
These services are offered by Dr Hickman at his Cardiac CT specialist centre, in Guildford, Surrey and where appropriate can be booked via his office or from https://www.heartscandirect.com. To book an appointment with Dr Michael Hickman today, just visit his Top Doctors profile.