The leading cause of death in 2021 was ischaemic heart disease, which is another name for coronary artery disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) echoed this with a report that heart disease was the leading cause of death in the U.S. in 2022, claiming over 702,800 lives.
Although heart disease can be hereditary, early detection and preventative care can help those at risk of developing heart disease to avoid severe health issues. Coronary artery disease is more common in the U.S. than any other type of heart disease. Learning about coronary artery disease, its symptoms, risk factors, and how to diagnose and treat this condition can help you take the necessary steps to protect your heart health.
What Is Coronary Artery Disease?
In addition to being the most common type of heart disease in the U.S., coronary artery disease is also responsible for more heart attacks than any other type of heart disease.
Coronary artery disease develops because of plaque buildup in the heart’s arteries. Plaque refers to various substances, including cholesterol and fat, that accrue in the arteries over time. When plaque builds up in the arteries, it narrows the passage, making it harder for blood and oxygen to flow to the heart. Consequently, the heart has to work harder to get essential nutrients and function correctly, which puts a strain on the heart.
The following are common symptoms of coronary artery disease:
- Arrhythmia
- Chest pain
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Swollen feet or hands
Causes and Risk Factors of Heart Disease
Plaque buildup in the arteries causes coronary artery disease. Plaque builds up for various reasons, including the following:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Insulin resistance
- Lack of exercise
- Use of tobacco products
Who Is at High Risk for Heart Disease?
Several factors affect your risk of heart disease, including genetics, health, and lifestyle choices. Those with an elevated risk of heart disease can book a heart CT scan capable of providing the information required for diagnosing heart disease.
The following factors indicate an increased risk of developing heart disease:
- Age: As you age, you are at a greater risk of experiencing damage to your arteries or developing plaque buildup. Women also have a greater risk after menopause.
- Alcohol consumption: Excessive consumption of alcohol can damage your heart muscle and increase the risk of heart disease.
- Cholesterol: Consuming insufficient amounts of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and excessive amounts of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol increases your risk of coronary artery disease.
- Diabetes: If you develop type 2 diabetes, you are at risk of developing heart disease.
- Diet: Consuming unhealthy foods increases your risk of heart disease.
- Gender: The risk of heart disease is greater for men.
- Genetics: Having close family members with heart disease means you have a greater risk of developing heart disease.
- Health conditions: Your likelihood of developing heart disease is higher if you suffer from any of the following:
- Chronic kidney disease
- Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels
- Gestational diabetes
- High levels of homocysteine
- High levels of triglycerides
- Lupus
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Preeclampsia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Insufficient exercise: Being physically active reduces the risk of heart disease.
- Sleep: Too much or too little sleep are both risk factors for heart disease.
- Smoking: You’re more likely to develop heart disease if you use tobacco products.
- Stress: You can suffer damage to your arteries due to stress.
- Weight: Obesity elevates your risk of developing coronary artery disease.
Often, risk factors overlap. Suppose you’re dealing with stress because of issues at work or at home. Your stress levels may interfere with your sleep, compounding your health risks.
Insufficient exercise and consuming an unhealthy diet increase your risk of developing hypertension and type 2 diabetes. In turn, these conditions are risk factors for heart disease.
Why Early Detection of Coronary Artery Disease Is Important
Early detection of coronary artery disease enables you to receive treatment that can manage your condition and prevent symptoms from worsening.
Although you cannot change risk factors such as your age or family history, making the following lifestyle changes can reduce your risk:
- Diet: Reduce the amount of salt, sugar, saturated fat, trans fat, and LDL cholesterol in your diet. Increase your consumption of HDL cholesterol.
- Exercise: Increasing your exercise levels helps manage your weight and stress levels.
- Lose weight: Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce your risk of multiple health issues, including heart disease.
- Manage stress: Exercising can help you manage your stress levels. You can also consider meditation and therapy if you’re dealing with excessive stress.
- Sleep: Ensure you get enough sleep at night. Avoiding caffeine before bedtime and keeping your bedroom dark and quiet can help you get a better night’s sleep.
- Stop drinking alcohol: Reducing the amount of alcohol you consume or eliminating alcohol consumption can help you prevent heart muscle damage.
- Stop smoking: Eliminating exposure to second-hand smoke and quitting smoking can help prevent heart disease.
Can Early Detection of Heart Disease Improve the Prognosis of Someone With Heart Disease?
Early detection allows you and your doctor to take appropriate steps before your condition worsens, which can help you avoid suffering a heart attack, or other severe symptoms of coronary artery disease.
Medical treatments for coronary artery disease include medication and surgery. With early detection, you may be able to manage your condition with medication and prevent the need for invasive surgery. If this is the case, you’ll reduce the financial cost of treating your condition and avoid hospitalization and a lengthy recovery period.
Get a Heart Scan With a Calcium Score at Preventative Diagnostics Center in Las Vegas
Preventative Diagnostic Center offers CT scans for early detection of heart disease. You don’t have to break the bank to get the medical information you need to diagnose your condition and prevent a heart attack. Preventative Diagnostic Center currently offers CT heart scans for $165 if you book your scan with a second party.
Our state-of-the-art low dose CT scans provide a comprehensive look at your heart and arteries, enabling medical professionals to detect damage to your arteries and plaque buildup.
You do not need a doctor’s referral to book your scan. Preventative Diagnostic Center’s team includes a board-certified doctor and a board-certified radiologist who oversees scans.
Schedule your CT scan>>
What To Expect When Getting a CT Heart Scan at Preventative Diagnostics Center
Low dose CT scans are a non-invasive way to detect plaque buildup. The scanner captures images that are assembled to create a three-dimensional model of your heart and arteries, providing a clear look at them.
Since these scans are non-invasive, the preparation is minimal. You should avoid caffeine for at least four hours before your scan and wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing with no underwire.
Before your scan, you remove your belt, empty your pockets, lie on a metal table, and have electrodes placed on your chest. The metal table slides into the scanner, which is round and resembles a donut. The table stops moving when you’re in position, and you will be instructed to stay still or hold your breath when required. You can expect to hear a whirring sound while the scanner captures images.
It takes longer to get ready for the scan than it does to capture the images. In well under an hour, you can arrive for your appointment, prepare, and complete the scans.
There’s no recovery time after your exam. You can continue with your routine.
What if My Coronary Calcium Score Is High?
You’ll receive a full report with the results of your scan within 10 days of completing the scan. The scan identifies plaque buildup. Since calcium is one of the components that make up plaque, a high calcium score is an indication of coronary artery disease, and indicates a risk of heart attack.
You can take your report to your doctor to discuss your results. Your doctor will discuss your diagnosis and develop a treatment plan, which may involve prescribing medication and recommending lifestyle changes. Your doctor may also refer you to a specialist.
Book Your CT Heart Scan With a Calcium Score Today
You do not need a doctor’s referral to undergo a calcium score test in Nevada. You can contact Preventative Diagnostic Center in Las Vegas, and book a heart scan today. Your scan results can restore your peace of mind, or provide the medical information you need for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Book your CT scan>>
Sources:
Deaths and Mortality. (2022).
The top 10 causes of death. (2024).
Types of heart disease. (2025).
