Coronary Artery Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Coronary Artery Disease?
A cardiologist, a heart doctor, usually treats coronary artery disease. Your primary care doctor often finds risk factors early and manages them. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. It is a leading cause of death for both men and women.
CAD affects the coronary arteries. These are the blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to your heart muscle. When these arteries are damaged or diseased, your heart does not get the blood it needs.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- Chest pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort that may spread to your neck, jaw, shoulder, or arm.
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling unusually tired.
These symptoms may start or get worse when you are active or under stress. They may go away with rest.
Some people do not know they have CAD until they have a heart attack or their heart suddenly stops beating.
Causes and who gets it
CAD develops slowly over time when plaque builds up inside your coronary arteries. Plaque is a waxy, sticky substance made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other materials in your blood. As plaque grows, it narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to your heart muscle.
You may be more likely to get CAD if you:
- Eat a diet high in saturated fat.
- Smoke or use tobacco products.
- Are not physically active.
- Are overweight or have obesity.
- Have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
- Have a family history of heart disease, especially a parent or sibling who had it before age 50.
Men tend to develop CAD earlier in life than women.
How doctors diagnose it
To find out if you have CAD, your provider may ask about your symptoms. They may ask about your personal and family health history. They may do a physical exam and check your blood pressure. They may order blood tests, including cholesterol and blood glucose. They may also order heart health tests.
Your provider may use a risk calculator to estimate your chance of a heart attack or stroke in the next 10 years.
Treatment
Your provider will make a treatment plan. It is based on which arteries are affected, how much blood flow is blocked, and what other health conditions you have. Treatment may include:
- Heart-healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, being more active, and quitting smoking.
- Medicines to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, control blood glucose, or prevent blood clots.
- Procedures or surgery, such as angioplasty or bypass surgery, to open or bypass blocked arteries.
- Cardiac rehabilitation, to improve your quality of life and help prevent future heart problems.
Tell your provider about all the medicines you take.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 right away if you have chest pain or discomfort that lasts two minutes or more, even if you are resting. This may be a sign of a heart attack.
Also call 911 for trouble breathing or fainting.
Talk with your provider about your personal risk.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar. They can also help you make heart-healthy changes and refer you to a cardiologist.
Common questions
Can coronary artery disease be prevented?
It may be possible to lower your risk or slow its progress. You can do this by managing risk factors and making healthy lifestyle choices.
What problems can coronary artery disease cause?
Reduced blood flow can lead to serious heart problems, including angina and heart attack. It can also lead to heart failure and arrhythmia, a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat.
What is angina?
Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to your heart.
What are the types of coronary artery disease?
There are three types: obstructive, nonobstructive, and coronary microvascular disease. Obstructive CAD means a large artery is narrowed by 50 percent or more.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Coronary Artery Disease
- NHLBI - Coronary Heart Disease Diagnosis
- NHLBI - Coronary Heart Disease Treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
