Coronary Artery Disease Symptoms

The symptoms of coronary artery disease include:

• Angina (chest pain)
• Shortness of breath

If coronary artery disease is left untreated, the damage to a person's heart and blood vessels can become more serious and even life-threatening. The complications of coronary artery disease include:

• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Sudden death
• Unstable angina

Coronary artery disease symptoms develop as the coronary arteries narrow over time and have difficulty supplying oxygen-rich blood to the heart. The symptoms are often confused with other types of heart disease and other medical conditions. For example, chest pain and shortness of breath are also symptoms of a heart attack, pneumonia, and a fractured rib. As a result, laboratory and other medical tests may be needed before a diagnosis of coronary artery disease can be finalized.

Coronary artery disease symptoms differ in intensity and might not develop until after there's been extensive damage to a person's heart and blood vessels. It's important for people who have one or more heart disease risk factors to get regular health checkups. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent coronary artery disease complications from developing.