Coronary Artery Disease Clinic
At the Mayo Clinic Healthcare Coronary Artery Disease Clinic, our expert cardiologists collaborate with specialists in heart disease surgery, imaging and other specialties to provide you with coordinated, comprehensive care.
Our specialists will take the time to accurately assess your condition and develop a risk assessment and treatment plan for you based on your individualised needs.
What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease develops when the major vessels that supply blood to your heart become narrowed or blocked. It's usually caused by plaques building up in your coronary arteries and by inflammation, which narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow.
Coronary artery disease can slowly develop over decades. That means signs and symptoms often aren't noticed until there's a significant blockage or a heart attack. Symptoms of coronary artery disease include chest pain, shortness of breath and heart attack.
Diagnosing coronary artery disease
To accurately diagnose coronary artery disease, your specialist will begin with a discussion of your medical history then perform a physical exam. You will also receive blood tests. Depending on the results, your doctor may suggest more tests to pinpoint the exact type and severity of your condition:
- Noninvasive CT coronary angiogram
- Cardiac MRI including perfusion scan
- Echocardiogram
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Dobutamine stress test (DSE)
Treating coronary artery disease
To successfully treat coronary artery disease, your Mayo Clinic Healthcare cardiologist may outline lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and getting regular exercise. If necessary, your specialist may prescribe drugs, such as:
- Cholesterol-modifying medications
- Aspirin and other anti-platelet drugs
- Beta blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Ranolazine
- Nitroglycerin
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
Some people need more aggressive treatment to restore and improve blood flow. These medical procedures can include angioplasty, stent placement and coronary artery bypass surgery.