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How Much Do You Know About Coronary Artery Disease and Angioplasty?

Coronary artery disease (CAD) plays a major role in the leading cause of death in this country: heart attack. CAD is also known as atherosclerosis. Learn more about this disease and its treatment by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

1. Which is a symptom of coronary artery disease?

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Healthy arteries are smooth and flexible. In a person with CAD, the arteries are narrowed with a buildup of plaque. Blood cannot flow as easily through diseased arteries. When blood flow is restricted to the heart, the heart muscle cannot get enough oxygen and pain or discomfort occurs. This pain or discomfort, which can be felt in the chest, arms or lower jaw, is called angina. Sometimes, the blood flow in the narrowed arteries is blocked completely by a clot. If this happens, the heart muscle cannot get oxygen and the person suffers a heart attack. The area of the heart affected by the blockage dies and becomes scar tissue. This can severely affect how the heart functions. Sometimes the damage can be so great that it stops the heart. This is known as cardiac arrest.

A. HeadacheB. Sleep problemsC. Pain or discomfort in the chest, arms or lower jawD. Diarrhea

2. Which test is used to diagnose CAD?

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An electrocardiogram (ECG) shows the heart's electrical activity. An ECG is used to find out if a heart attack has occurred. It also shows which parts of the heart muscle may not be getting enough blood. The treadmill stress test also helps determine how blood is flowing through your arteries. It shows how your heart and body respond electrically during exercise. A radioactive dye may be injected into your bloodstream so that an X-ray camera can see the blood flow during the test. But the main tool for diagnosing coronary artery disease is cardiac catheterization and angiography. A dye is injected through a catheter placed in the coronary arteries and an X-ray is taken of the outline of the artery. This test can pinpoint where the arteries are narrowed or even blocked. Your doctor may then use a procedure such as angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting to help open up these blockages. The procedures may be done during catheterization. CAD may be diagnosed using high-resolution MRI and cardiac CT, which uses an X-ray machine to take detailed pictures of the heart.

A. ElectrocardiogramB. Treadmill stress testC. Cardiac catheterizationD. All of the above

3. One possible treatment for CAD is coronary angioplasty. What does it involve?

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It is also called balloon angioplasty. The balloon is placed in the artery by means of a fine tube called a catheter. The catheter usually is inserted into a blood vessel in a wrist or the groin and travels to the heart. Once the end of the catheter reaches the blockage, the doctor inflates and deflates the balloon several times to push the plaque against the artery wall and open and stretch the artery. This stretching helps improve the flow of blood through the artery. There are several benefits to angioplasty. It opens up an artery without the risks of major surgery, and it does not need general anesthesia. A stent may be placed to hold the artery open after a balloon has expanded the blockage.

A. A new section of artery replaces the blocked sectionB. A tiny balloon is inflated inside an arteryC. Medicine is used to expand the arteryD. None of the above

4. During angioplasty, doctors often place a stent inside the artery. What is a stent?

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The stent is a small metal coil or mesh tube that is placed in a narrowed artery. It helps keep the artery open after the balloon is removed. The stent stays in place permanently. A stent is used in many angioplasty procedures.

A. A new section of arteryB. A cotton tubeC. A wire mesh tubeD. A slow-release medicine capsule

5. Some people who have coronary angioplasty done, the artery narrows or becomes blocked again within 6 months if a stent is not used. When is this more likely to happen?

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Arteries and other blood vessels that become narrow or blocked again can be reopened with a second angioplasty. This occurs much less often now that stents are commonly used. But arteries with stents can still sometimes become blocked again over time. Some stents are coated and slowly release medicine over a period of time. This reduces the amount of scar tissue that forms inside the artery. It helps prevent restenosis. Your doctor will give you medicine to prevent blood clots from forming on the new stent. You will continue to take this medicine until the stent and artery have healed. Your healthcare team will tell you how long you should take this medicine.

A. If you smokeB. If you have diabetesC. If you have unstable angina before the procedureD. All of the above

6. Which lifestyle factor has a great impact on your health after angioplasty?

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All of these risk factors are very important to change. The American Heart Association says that people who continue to smoke after having angioplasty have a much worse quality of life than those who quit or who are nonsmokers. Those who continue to smoke are at higher long-term risk for heart attack and death.

A. ObesityB. High blood pressureC. Inactive lifestyleD. Smoking

Your score was:

Online Medical Reviewer: Clayton, Anne, APRN
Online Medical Reviewer: Kang, Steven, MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Wojcik, Stacey, MBA, BSN, RN

Date Last Reviewed: 6/1/2021

© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

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