Conditions & Symptoms

When patients have problems with congestive heart failure, angina, or heart attack, they trust Cardiovascular Medicine to help them heal.

Clinical Cardiology

We service all major cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions as well as offering diagnostic imaging, ongoing and chronic care, and long-term condition management. You can see cardiovascular specialists at both our Moline and Davenport locations.
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Cardiac Imaging and Diagnostics

Our range of cardiac diagnostic tests can provide the information you need to make informed decisions about your healthcare.
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Electrophysiology

Our care center provides a full spectrum of electrophysiology care, from diagnosis to treatment and management of your condition.
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Invasive & Interventional Cardiology

We are leaders in providing invasive cardiology treatments that relieve your symptoms and lower your risk of complications from heart disease.
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Vein & Vascular Care

Our team of physicians, researchers, and patient care specialists are focused specifically on cardiovascular best practices and lifesaving heart and vein care.
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Procedural Lab
(In-Office)

Our procedural lab is state-of-the-art, featuring one of the most technologically advanced vascular imaging systems available in an office setting.
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Preventive Services

As the best line of defense against heart disease, our clinic specializes in preventive care, including advanced cardiac imaging, risk intervention, and personalized treatment planning.
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CVM Locations

Explore the map below to see location options and find the clinic most convenient for you!
Conditions:

Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common condition. In fact, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, it’s the most common type of heart disease in the United States.

Understanding Coronary Artery Disease

CAD develops when the primary vessels (coronary arteries) that supply your heart with blood have trouble sending enough blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your heart muscle. 

For many people, the first coronary artery disease symptom you’ll experience is a heart attack. The signs include: 

  • Chest pain or discomfort (angina)
  • Weakness
  • Nausea 
  • Sweating
  • Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder
  • Shortness of breath

Coronary Artery Disease Symptoms

Because coronary artery disease is a chronic condition, you may not experience any signs or symptoms for a very long time. Plaque can take years to build up in your arteries. 

The most common coronary artery disease symptoms include:

  • Stable angina: This is temporary chest pain or discomfort that comes and goes in a predictable pattern.
  • Shortness of breath: You may have trouble breathing, especially when you’re taking part in light activities.
  • Heart attack: This is a combination of symptoms including chest or arm pain.

You may also start to feel dizzy or lightheaded, have heart palpitations, begin to feel tired, nauseated, and weak. 

It’s important to call for help or call 911 if you begin experiencing any coronary artery disease symptoms.

Treating Coronary Artery Disease

Fortunately, there are a wide-range of treatments for coronary artery disease, and it begins with lifestyle changes. You may also be asked to take blood pressure and cholesterol medications to help manage your condition. If the recommended non-invasive treatment therapies do not prove to be effective, a surgical procedure may be recommended by your doctor. Your cardiologist will talk with you about which treatment plan is best for you.

More on Coronary Artery Disease

What Causes Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease is generally caused by cholesterol deposits (plaques) in the heart arteries and inflammation.

Over time, plaque development causes the inside of the arteries to become narrow, which can either completely or partially obstruct blood flow. This process is called atherosclerosis.

You doctor can use one of several tests to diagnose coronary artery disease, including an ECG, EKG, stress test, echocardiogram, a calcium score, or even a chest x-ray

How to Manage Coronary Artery Disease Non-Surgically

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of coronary artery disease, or exhibit some of the risk factors (like a family history of CAD) you will be asked to manage it by doing things such as:

  • Exercising: It’s one of your most effective tools for strengthening the heart muscle and warding off the artery damage from high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure that can lead to heart attack or stroke.
  • Eating a heart-healthy diet: To optimize heart health, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends maintaining a diet that emphasizes a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and skinless poultry.
  • Stop smoking: Chemicals in cigarette smoke cause the blood to thicken and form clots inside veins and arteries.
  • Limit alcohol: Excessively drinking alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, or stroke. It may also contribute to a disorder that affects the heart muscle called cardiomyopathy.

How to Manage Coronary Artery Disease Surgically

  • Coronary angioplasty: This procedure is also called percutaneous coronary intervention or balloon angioplasty. The balloon is used to stretch open a narrowed or blocked artery. A stent is often placed during or immediately after angioplasty. A coronary artery stent is a small, metal mesh tube that expands inside a coronary artery to widen it.  
  • Coronary bypass surgery: Heart bypass surgery creates a new route, called a bypass, for blood and oxygen to go around a blockage to reach your heart. During the procedure, your surgeon will remove a healthy section of artery or vein from the wrist, chest, or leg. The coronary artery is then connected to it immediately above and below the blockage. This allows blood to bypass (get around) the blockage.

Meet Your Illinois and Iowa
Cardiovascular Physicians

Our team of physicians, researchers, and patient care specialists are focused specifically on cardiovascular best practices and lifesaving heart and vein care. We hire and empower the best cardiovascular doctors in the nation right here in the Heartland.

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