Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) reduces blood supply to your heart muscle and can cause heart attacks and other heart problems. It is also called ischaemic heart disease or, simply, heart disease.

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In this article

What is coronary artery disease?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) happens when plaque (fat) builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your heart. 

Over time, this narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow. This can cause angina.

If a plaque breaks open, a blood clot can form. If the clot blocks an artery, it can cause a heart attack.

Infographic showing the 4 stages of Agina

Coronary artery disease is also called coronary heart disease or ischaemic heart disease. 

It’s a type of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular disease is a general term for conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels.

Symptoms of coronary artery disease

You may not know you have CAD because it doesn’t always cause symptoms. Sometimes people only find out when it causes a heart attack. 

If you have symptoms, the most common one is chest pain.

You may feel: 

  • pressure, tightness, discomfort or pain in your chest 
  • pain or discomfort in your arms, back, shoulders, neck or jaw
  • short of breath
  • sweaty, sick, dizzy or lightheaded.

The pain can range from a dull ache to very strong. 

Symptoms often start when your heart needs more oxygen, such as when you’re:

  • physically active 
  • stressed, upset or angry
  • in cold weather
  • smoking
  • eating a large meal.

Sometimes symptoms happen without a clear trigger. 

What increases my risk?

Some things increase your risk of CAD. These are called risk factors. Some risk factors can be improved through lifestyle changes or treatment. Risk factors you can change or manage include:

Other risk factors can’t be changed:  

  • Age – your risk increases as you get older.
  • Sex – men are more likely to develop CAD earlier than women. However, women’s risk increases after their periods stop.
  • Ethnicity – Māori, Pacific Peoples and South Asian people have a higher risk. 
  • Family history – your risk is higher if a close relative developed heart disease before the age of 50. 

What’s my personal risk of developing coronary artery disease?

Everyone’s risk of CAD is different. A heart check can help you understand your risk and what you can do to protect your heart. 

Talk to your doctor or nurse about when you should have a heart risk check.

What is a heart risk check?

How is CAD diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. They may also suggest tests to check your heart and arteries.     

Common tests include:

  • blood tests 
  • ECG – checks your heart rate and rhythm and may show if you’ve had an earlier heart attack
  • echo (heart ultrasound) – shows how your heart pumps
  • exercise stress echo – helps assess the blood supply to your heart when you’re active 
  • CT scan – dye is put into a vein, then a scanner takes pictures of your heart’s arteries
  • angiogram – a tube delivers dye into your heart’s arteries and an x-ray shows if any are narrowed or blocked.

Treatment

CAD can’t be cured, but treatment can help: 

  • stop it from getting worse 
  • reduce symptoms
  • lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. 

Healthy habits are an important part of managing CAD. Most people with CAD also need medicines, and some may need a procedure to improve blood flow to the heart. 

Lifestyle changes 

Small changes to your daily habits can help protect your heart and lower your risk of future problems. These include: 

Medicines

Medicines are an important part of treatment for many people with CAD. They can help protect your heart, lower your risk of heart attack and stroke, and manage symptoms.  

These can include:    

Procedures

If you have angina or if you’ve already had a heart attack, your doctor may suggest a procedure to improve blood flow to your heart. These include: 

CAD can increase your risk of other heart problems

Coronary artery disease can cause:   

The reduced blood flow can put extra strain on your heart and this also increases your risk of:

Treatment and healthy habits can lower your risk and protect your heart. 

Where can I get support? 

Green prescription

A green prescription from your doctor is a way to get support to be more active. It helps you set goals and make realistic changes you can stick with. It’s also a good way to meet others who want to improve their health and wellbeing. 

Cardiac rehabilitation

Cardiac rehabilitation is a free programme that helps you recover after a heart problem or procedure. It’s a proven way to speed recovery, improve quality of life and lower your risk of future heart problems. 

Explore cardiac rehabilitation options  

Connecting with others

It can help to hear from other people living with heart disease. Journeys shares personal stories from people living with CAD, angina and other heart conditions. 

You can join a local heart support group or the online Heart Foundation NZ Support Group to connect with others living with heart disease.  

Call the Heart Line

Our Heart Line can help you find you find support and information about heart health. Call 0800 863 375 or email us at hearthealthinfo@heartfoundation.org.nz

Heart-healthy lifestyle changes

Learn more about lowering your risk