Skip to main content

Vanderbilt Health

MENU

×

Find a Doctor

Locations and Parking

Make an Appointment

A-Z Services

Health Library

Patient and Visitor Information

Pay Your Bill

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt University

Research

For Patients and Visitors

Resources for Employees and Researchers

Locations and Parking

Search for a Location

Feedback

What area of Vanderbilt University Medical Center would you like to leave feedback?

My Health at Vanderbilt

Patient Experience and Care

www.Vanderbilthealth.com

Note: feedback is for non-emergency questions and suggestions regarding patient services and website functionality.

If you require immediate care, please call 911 or visit the Emergency Room.

Comments and Suggestions about www.Vanderbilthealth.com

Your E-mail (optional)

Your Phone Number (optional)

Cancel or

Home

Related Reading

Español

Español

Health Library Explorer

Search Library:

Browse A-Z Listings: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z A-Z Listings Contact Us

Conditions & Treatments
Health Centers
Drugs, Herbs & Supplements
Nutrition & General Wellness
Your Family
News Center
Healthy Living
Tools & Multimedia

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?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

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?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

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?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

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?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

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?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

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?

You didn't answer this question.

You answered

The correct answer is

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

© 2000-2022 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.

Doctor Call to Action

Appointment Call to Action

Locations Call to Action

Find a Doctor Make an Appointment Locations and Directions

Related Items

Patient Education

After Bypass Surgery: Caring for Your Incision

After Bypass Surgery: Caring for Yourself
View All 49

Tests and Procedures

Angioplasty and Stent Placement for the Heart

Carotid Endarterectomy

Articles

Medicines for Coronary Artery Disease

Prevention of Heart Disease Starts in Childhood

News

4 Out of 10 Adults With No Known Heart Disease Have Fatty Hearts: Study

75 or Older? Statins Can Still Benefit Your Heart
View All 100

Herbs, Vitamins & Supplements

Hawthorn

Interactive Tools

Coronary Artery Disease and Angioplasty Quiz

Coronary Artery Disease Assessment

Videos

Cardiac Catheterization

Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting
View All 4

StayWell Disclaimer

Request an Appointments

If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical help immediately.

We will contact you within one business day to review your appointment request.

1. Type of care and preferred times

Some specialties may require a referral prior to scheduling an appointment.

Briefly describe the reason for the appointment

Select a day

Check all that apply

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

No Preference

Select a time

Check all that apply

Morning

Afternoon

No Preference

2. About the patient

Has the patient received care at Vanderbilt before?

Yes No Don't Know

Did you know you can request an appointment directly with one of your doctors at My Health at Vanderbilt?

Patient first name

Patient last name

Patient date of birth

/ /

Patient Zip Code

Phone number

Best time to reach you

Check all that apply

Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Facebook
Twitter
Youtube
Google+
Read our blog

Health Library
Find a Doctor
Patient & Visitor Info
Locations
My Health at Vanderbilt

For Referring Physicians
Giving
Volunteer
Media
Quality Answers

Careers
Pay your Bill
About VUMC
Privacy Policy

Popular Links
A-Z Services
Medical Record Information
Key Telephone Numbers
Make an Appointment

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
1211 Medical Center Drive
Nashville, TN 37232

Through the exceptional capabilities and caring spirit of its people, Vanderbilt will lead in improving the healthcare of individuals and communities regionally, nationally and internationally. We will combine our transformative learning programs and compelling discoveries to provide distinctive personalized care.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.
Copyright © 2017 by Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Vanderbilt®, Vanderbilt University Medical Center®, V Oak Leaf Design®, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt® and Vanderbilt Health® are trademarks of The Vanderbilt University.

Feedback

What area of Vanderbilt University Medical Center would you like to leave feedback?

My Health at Vanderbilt

Patient Experience and Care

www.Vanderbilthealth.com

Note: feedback is for non-emergency questions and suggestions regarding patient services and website functionality.

If you require immediate care, please call 911 or visit the Emergency Room.

Comments and Suggestions about www.Vanderbilthealth.com

Your E-mail (optional)

Your Phone Number (optional)

Cancel or

Doctors Directory

Last Name

First Name

Search by name, specialty or location.

Insurance Plans accepted by all of our doctors >

Insurance Plans

Vanderbilt University Medical Center accepts the following insurance plans. For information about specific contract coverage, please contact your health plan directly.