Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) in Point Cook
Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease in Australia. Finding and managing your risk early can lower your chance of a heart attack.
If you have chest pain, pressure or discomfort that is severe, getting worse or lasts longer than 10 minutes, call 000 straight away.
What narrows the arteries
The coronary arteries carry blood to the heart muscle. Over many years, fatty plaque can build up inside their walls in a process called atherosclerosis. As an artery narrows, the heart may not get enough blood when it works harder, causing chest discomfort known as angina.
Heart attacks happen when a plaque cracks and a clot suddenly blocks the artery. This build-up is often silent for decades, which is why risk factors are worth checking in people who feel well.
Risk factors
- Ones you cannot change: getting older, a family history of early heart disease, and being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Ones you can work on: smoking, raised blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, carrying extra weight and low physical activity
- Other conditions that add to risk: chronic kidney disease and some inflammatory conditions
Warning signs
- Pain, pressure, heaviness or tightness in the chest
- Discomfort spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back
- Breathlessness, especially with activity
- Nausea, a cold sweat, dizziness or unusual tiredness
Signs can be subtle
Women, older people and people with diabetes often have milder or unusual symptoms, such as breathlessness or indigestion-like discomfort without chest pain. Discomfort that comes on with exertion and eases with rest can be angina. Book a GP appointment soon rather than waiting to see whether it happens again.
Heart care offered here
- A Heart Health Check to estimate your risk
- ECGs to look at your heart’s electrical activity
- Blood pressure checks and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring
- Cholesterol management
- Blood tests, with samples taken by Dorevitch Pathology at its collection centre in the clinic
- Referral to a cardiologist for tests such as a stress test, echocardiogram or angiogram
Medicines often prescribed
Treatment depends on your situation. Statins lower LDL cholesterol and help stabilise plaque. Blood pressure medicines reduce strain on the heart. Some people are advised to take a low-dose antiplatelet medicine, but only on a doctor’s advice. For angina relief, a nitrate spray or tablet under the tongue may be prescribed. Never stop a heart medicine without first talking to your doctor.
Changes that protect your heart
Stopping smoking is the single biggest step for most smokers. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, such as brisk walking. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, legumes, fish and unsalted nuts, and cut back on processed meat, salt and alcohol. Referral to a dietitian or exercise physiologist can help with specific goals.
Recovering from a heart event or stent
Cardiac rehabilitation helps people regain fitness and confidence after a heart event, and your GP can arrange a place in a local program. Ask about safe timing for driving, work and sex. Ongoing reviews can be coordinated through a GP care plan. People with heart disease are advised to have a flu vaccine every year.
Depression and anxiety are common after a heart attack and can slow recovery. If low mood lasts more than two weeks, raise it with a GP; mental health care and support for anxiety and depression are available at the clinic. For long-term care, see Heart Disease Management.
Fees and bulk billing
GP care plans are bulk billed with all our doctors. Other consultations may have an out-of-pocket fee, and each practitioner sets their own fees. See our fees page for details.