Coronary artery disease program

Our advanced heart specialists provide all levels of care for people with coronary artery disease (CAD). At Advocate Health Care, you'll have access to cardiac screening for early detection of coronary artery disease, a wide range of the latest treatment options and expert emergency cardiac care.

What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the buildup of plaque inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Cholesterol, fat, calcium and other substances in the blood make up the plaque. As the plaque accumulates, it causes the arteries to narrow and stiffen. This process is called atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.

Eventually, the coronary arteries can become partially or completely blocked. These artery blockages restrict blood flow to the heart muscle (ischemic heart disease) and can lead to a heart attack. Learn more about the types of coronary artery disease.

What are the symptoms of coronary artery disease?

In early stages of coronary artery disease, you may not experience any symptoms. As the coronary arteries narrow, it’s common to experience chest pain, heart palpitations or shortness of breath, especially with activity. Knowing the symptoms of coronary artery disease can help lower your risk of complications, including a heart attack. 

What causes coronary artery disease?

Atherosclerosis causes coronary artery disease. But the rate at which plaque builds up and causes CAD depends on many factors. Understanding the risk factors and causes of coronary artery disease is key to lowering your risk. 

Though coronary artery disease is the most common cause of death in the U.S., it is largely preventable through lifestyle changes and medication. Early detection is also important. Advocate Health Care offers quick and inexpensive tests to find out if you are at risk of developing CAD. Learn more about our $49 heart scans.

How is coronary artery disease diagnosed?

One of the most common tests used for diagnosing coronary artery disease is a coronary angiogram. Our physicians use a thin tube (catheter) inserted into a blood vessel in your wrist or groin. They thread the tube to your heart and inject dye into the coronary arteries. An X-ray machine captures a series of images that allows your doctor to visualize any blockages. The procedure is called cardiac catheterization.

During the angiogram, your physician may insert a wire through the catheter to measure the pressure difference across the blockage. This technique, called instantaneous wave-free ratio (IFR), helps assess the severity of the blockage and determine the best course of treatment.

Other tests our cardiologists use to diagnose coronary artery disease include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the electrical activity of your heart
• Stress test: Uses an electrocardiogram while you exercise to evaluate how your heart functions when it’s working hard
• Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves to produce images of your heart and nearby blood vessels
• CT angiogram: Uses dye delivered intravenously, along with a CT scan, to create a picture of your heart and its vessels
• CT calcium scan: Measures the buildup of calcium in your arteries
• CT fractional flow reserve: Using your CT scan, this non-invasive heart test provides a digital 3D model of your coronary arteries. With trained specialists and powerful computer algorithms, this technology calculates how much each blockage limits blood flow to your heart. This test is available at many Advocate Health Care hospitals.

How is coronary artery disease treated?

Our experienced cardiologists and heart surgeons provide the latest treatments for coronary artery disease. We use a team-based approach to develop a specialized care plan for each patient.

Treatments we provide include:

Noninvasive treatments for coronary artery disease

If the blockage is less severe, your doctor may recommend medication and lifestyle changes to manage symptoms and slow the progression of coronary artery disease.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to:

• Lower cholesterol and blood pressure
• Manage diabetes
• Treat chest pain
• Reduce the risk of blood clots

Lifestyle changes your doctor may recommend include:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Increasing activity levels
• Losing weight
• Quitting smoking
• Decreasing alcohol consumption
• Reducing stress
• Treating sleep apnea

Minimally invasive and surgical treatments for coronary artery disease

Treatment may include catheter-based procedures or heart surgery such as:

• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): PCI uses a balloon delivered through a catheter to compress the plaque and open the artery. The physician then inserts a stent, which is a metal mesh tube coated with a drug. The stent provides support and prevents the blockage from recurring.
• Atherectomy: Sometimes a blockage is calcified and balloons won’t be effective. In this case, your doctor may insert a small drill-like device or laser through the catheter to break up the plaque and open the blocked artery. Our specialists also offer a new technology that uses ultrasonic energy to open a blockage. This technique is called intravascular lithotripsy (IVL).
• Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery: A surgeon uses a blood vessel from another part of the body to create a new path around the blockage.