Abstract

CURRENT TRENDS IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE

Dr. Afsha Anjum, Dr. Alisha Naaz, Dr. Parshant Pokhriyal and *Dr. Muskan Kumari

ABSTRACT

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of global mortality, responsible for approximately 17.8 million deaths annually. The disease develops due to atherosclerotic plaque accumulation within the coronary arteries, leading to progressive arterial narrowing (stenosis) and impaired blood flow to the heart muscle (myocardium). This reduction in perfusion can manifest as angina (chest pain), acute coronary syndromes (ACS), or myocardial infarction (heart attack). In the United States alone, CAD accounts for ~610,000 deaths each year, representing nearly 25% of all annual fatalities. The global economic burden of CAD is staggering, with costs projected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030 due to rising healthcare expenditures and lost productivity. Key risk factors include dyslipidemia (high cholesterol), hypertension, smoking, diabetes mellitus, obesity, physical inactivity, and genetic predisposition. Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation, electrocardiography (ECG), stress testing, coronary angiography, and advanced imaging modalities such as echocardiography or cardiac CT. Management strategies focus on symptom alleviation and disease progression delay through: • Lifestyle modifications (healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation)• Pharmacotherapy (statins, beta-blockers, antiplatelet agents)• Interventional procedures (angioplasty, stenting, coronary artery bypass grafting [CABG]) Early detection and aggressive treatment are critical in mitigating CAD’s devastating impact on public health.

Keywords: NCoronary Artery Disease; Coronary Artery; Lifestyle; pharmacotherapy; Coronary Angiography.