Coronary Artery Disease

The heart has its own blood supply or arteries that delivery oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle so that the heart may properly function. Coronary artery disease (also referred to as atherosclerotic heart disease) is the build-up of plaques (blockages) within the coronary arteries. These plaques arise from cholesterol deposits and inflammation. Plaques produce narrowing of the coronary arteries and may reduce blood flow and thus reduce the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the heart.  Low blood flow to the heart can cause angina (often a heavy or pressure-like chest pain), shortness of breath, fatigue or heart attacks. Heart attacks (also called myocardial infarctions) occur when blood clots form on unstable plaques cutting off the blood supply to a region of the heart.  Without blood flow heart muscle dies and the heart’s function becomes impaired.  Early detection of heart disease may prevent heart attacks. Heart, Rhythm & Vascular Specialists of Dayton offers several types of stress testing to detect obstructive heart disease. The extensive experience of our physicians in coronary angiography (heart catheterization) and percutaneous coronary interventions (angioplasty and stenting of coronary arteries) efficiently identifies and treats blockages. Who do you trust with your heart?