Coronary Disease: What You Need to Know Right Now

Coronary disease (also called coronary artery disease) quietly blocks blood flow to the heart. That blockage can cause angina or a heart attack. The good news: many crashes are preventable or treatable if you act early and follow a simple plan.

What to watch for

Symptoms can be obvious or subtle. Classic signs include chest pressure or tightness, pain that spreads to the jaw, neck, or left arm, sudden shortness of breath, heavy sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness. Some people—especially women, older adults, or people with diabetes—get milder symptoms like fatigue or indigestion. If you have sudden chest pain or trouble breathing, call emergency services right away.

Know your risk factors: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, being overweight, physical inactivity, and a family history of early heart disease. Age and stress matter too. If you have one or more risks, get checked sooner rather than later.

Tests, treatments, and simple steps you can take

Doctors use tests to pin down the problem: ECGs, blood tests, stress tests, coronary CT, and sometimes an angiogram. Treatment ranges from lifestyle changes and medicines to procedures like stenting or bypass surgery. Here’s a practical breakdown:

- Lifestyle: Quit smoking, aim for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, follow a heart-first diet (vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and olive oil), limit alcohol, and manage weight. Small, steady changes beat dramatic short bursts every time.

- Medicines: Statins for cholesterol, aspirin in some cases, blood pressure drugs (ACE inhibitors or ARBs like losartan), beta-blockers (Toprol/metoprolol) for heart rate and pressure control, and diuretics for fluid control. Each drug has pros and cons—work with your doctor to pick the right combo. If you worry about costs or ordering online, read our guides like “How to Safely Buy Losartan Online” and “Where and How to Buy Toprol Online Safely.”

- Procedures: If an artery is seriously blocked, angioplasty with stent or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be recommended. These fix blood flow quickly and reduce future risk when combined with meds and lifestyle changes.

Medication adherence matters. Skipping doses or cutting pills to save money reduces protection and raises risk. If cost is an issue, check our “Prescription Price Transparency” guide for safe ways to compare prices and save.

Want to protect your heart today? Start with a simple plan: get baseline blood pressure and cholesterol checked, ask your doctor about heart risk, quit smoking, move more, and keep an eye on chest symptoms. If you already take heart meds, schedule a follow-up and ask about options tailored to you. Small steps add up — and your heart will thank you.