Ischemic heart disease

If you have coronary artery disease (CAD), you have a higher risk of heart damage and other cardiovascular problems. Ischemia, or reduced blood flow, is one of the many possible complications of coronary artery disease.

Fortunately, Advocate Health Care cardiologists offer comprehensive treatment for coronary artery disease and its complications. When you come to Advocate specialists, you get personalized, advanced care to help you achieve your best health.

What is ischemic heart disease?

Ischemic heart disease refers to heart weakening caused by reduced blood flow to your heart. Typically, this reduced blood flow is the result of coronary artery disease, a condition that occurs when your coronary arteries narrow. Ischemic heart disease may also be called cardiac ischemia or ischemic cardiomyopathy.

As your heart weakens, it has to work harder to send blood to the rest of your body. This can increase your risk of blood clots, heart valve disease, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) and other problems.

What are the symptoms of ischemic heart disease?

Like other types of coronary artery disease, you may not have any symptoms at first. For some people, the first sign of ischemic heart disease is a heart attack. Call 911 immediately if you think you are experiencing a heart attack.

As ischemic heart disease worsens, you may experience:

• Chest pain, especially after physical exertion
• Dizziness or fainting
• Heart palpitations, which may feel like your heart fluttering or skipping beats
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in your feet or ankles

How is ischemic cardiomyopathy diagnosed?

To diagnose ischemic heart disease, your health care provider asks you about your symptoms and performs a physical exam. You usually also have evaluations, such as:

• Cardiac catheterization to check for blocked arteries
• Echocardiogram to look at how your heart’s valves and chambers are pumping blood
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) to evaluate your heart’s electrical activity
• Electrophysiology study to perform a more in-depth evaluation of your heart’s electrical activity
• Imaging studies, such as a chest X-ray, CT scan or MRI, to look at your heart’s structures
• Stress test to examine how your heart works while you exercise
• Wearable monitor, such as a Holter or other portable monitor, that sends your provider reports about your heart’s activity while you go about your daily activities

How is ischemic heart disease treated?

Ischemic heart disease treatment typically focuses on restoring blood flow and reducing your risk of a heart attack. At Advocate Health Care, our cardiologists and heart surgeons provide the latest treatments for ischemic heart disease using a team-based, personalized approach.

Noninvasive treatments for ischemic heart disease

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may improve blood flow with noninvasive treatments. Your provider may recommend lifestyle changes or medications to control ischemic heart disease and lower your risk of additional complications.

Ischemic cardiomyopathy medications

Your doctor may prescribe medications to:

• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure
• Treat underlying conditions, such as diabetes
• Reduce your risk of blood clots

Lifestyle changes

Your provider may recommend lifestyle changes such as:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Getting better quality sleep
• Increasing activity levels
• Losing weight
• Lowering stress
• Participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing alcohol intake

Minimally invasive and surgical treatments for ischemic heart disease

Depending on your symptoms, you may benefit from minimally invasive or surgical treatments, such as:

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)

An ICD is a small device implanted beneath your skin in your chest or abdomen. When it detects an irregular heart rhythm, the ICD sends small electrical charges to your heart to put it back in a normal rhythm. You may need an ICD if you’re at risk for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)

CRT is a specialized treatment for people who have heart failure. It helps keep your heart in steady rhythm using a device called a biventricular pacemaker. It includes leads placed within your heart and a pulse generator placed below the skin in your chest. The biventricular pacemaker helps synchronize your heart rhythm so that your heart contracts and pumps blood more effectively.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

A PCI is a catheter-based procedure to open a blocked artery. Your physician uses a small, hollow tube (catheter) to send a balloon to your coronary artery. When the balloon inflates, it compresses plaque and opens your artery. Then they place a mesh tube called a stent in the artery. The stent is coated with medication and provides support to keep your artery open long-term.

Atherectomy

Sometimes a blockage is hardened and can’t effectively be treated with a PCI. In this case, your doctor may use a catheter to insert a small drill-like device or laser into your artery to break apart the plaque and remove it.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

CABG is an open-heart surgery. During the procedure, your surgeon uses a blood vessel from another part of your body to create a new path around one or more blocked arteries.

When to schedule a heart scan

If you have one or more risk factors for coronary artery disease, you may need a heart scan to check your coronary arteries. Heart scans look for plaque buildup and other signs of coronary artery disease.

Advocate Health Care offers quick and inexpensive heart scans to find out if you are at risk of developing coronary artery disease – or if you already have it. This simple test could even save your life. Learn more about our $49 heart scans.