In many cases, yes, depending on its location and the condition of the artery beyond the blockage. This is worked out during angiography itself.
Coronary Artery Disease & Heart Blockages
Conditions
Coronary Artery Disease & Heart Blockages
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed or blocked, usually due to a buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) along the artery walls. It's one of the most common reasons patients are referred to a cardiologist, whether due to symptoms, a routine test finding, or known risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
CAD doesn't always cause obvious symptoms early on. When it does, patients may notice:
- Chest discomfort, pressure, or tightness (angina), especially with exertion
- Breathlessness during activity
- Fatigue that's out of proportion to effort
- In some cases, no symptoms at all until a blockage becomes significant
Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Obesity and metabolic risk
- Smoking
- Family history
Hypertension · High Cholesterol · Diabetes & Heart Disease · Obesity & Cardiometabolic Health
Diagnosis
Diagnosis usually starts with a consultation with Dr. Kulin Sheth. Depending on symptoms and overall risk profile, this may include an ECG, a 2D Echo, or a treadmill stress test (TMT). Whether further testing or coronary angiography is needed depends on the clinical picture as a whole, rather than a single test result. For borderline cases, Dr. Kulin puts particular weight on in-depth functional questions, such as effort tolerance and how many flights of stairs a patient can climb without difficulty. How the heart performs day to day often tells him as much as the imaging does.
Cardiologist Consultation · ECG · 2D Echo with GLS · TMT · Coronary Angiography
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on how severe and how extensive the blockage is:
- Lifestyle and risk-factor management: often the first step for milder disease
- Medication: to manage risk factors and reduce strain on the heart
- Coronary angioplasty (PCI, percutaneous coronary intervention): a catheter-based procedure to open a blocked artery and place a stent
- Bypass surgery: considered for certain patterns of multi-vessel or complex disease
When to Seek Urgent Care
Sudden, severe chest pain, especially with breathlessness, sweating, or pain radiating to the arm or jaw, needs immediate emergency attention. Don't wait for a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
-
Can a 100% blockage be treated?
-
Is a blockage always a medical emergency?Not always. A stable, known blockage under management is different from a sudden new blockage causing acute symptoms. If you're experiencing new or worsening chest pain, treat it as urgent.
-
Does treating a blockage cure coronary artery disease permanently?Angioplasty or bypass treats the specific blockage. CAD itself is a long-term condition, and ongoing risk-factor management remains important afterward.
Google Reviews
Read what our patients say about us
Book a Consultation
Reach Dr. Kulin Sheth's team directly by phone or WhatsApp, or visit us at Sheth Heart Clinic, Bopal.