Coronary artery disease causes a substance called plaque to build up inside the arteries of your body, restricting blood flow and putting you at risk for a future heart attack. This type of heart disease is the most common form of heart disease in the United States, accounting for nearly 400,000 deaths annually. Coronary artery disease can be diagnosed using coronary CT Angiography, a medical imaging technique that evaluates the flow of blood through your veins to look for areas of concern.
Understanding Coronary Artery Disease
In patients with coronary artery disease, plaque buildup inside the arteries can cause many health problems. Over time, plaque buildup causes the arteries to become narrower and less flexible, restricting the amount of blood that can flow through them. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body, putting excess stress on your cardiovascular system. If the plaque inside your arteries ruptures, a blood clot will form in an attempt to address the injury to the artery wall. This blood clot may completely block the flow of blood through the artery, leading to a heart attack.
Diagnosing Coronary Artery Disease
If your physician suspects you may be suffering from coronary artery disease, he may order tests or diagnostics to evaluate your cardiovascular health. Coronary CT Angiography, or coronary CTA, uses high-speed X-ray imaging to provide three-dimensional images of the blood flowing through your veins and arteries. This diagnostic allows your physician to determine if there are areas where the arteries have been narrowed by plaque. Other diagnostics that may be used to diagnose and evaluate coronary artery disease include echocardiography, chest X-ray imaging, and electron-beam computed tomography (CT).
If your physician has ordered imaging diagnostics to evaluate your cardiovascular health, call Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center today at (214) 345-6905 to set up your appointment. We offer MRI, CT scans, radiology, and more at a time that is convenient for you. Click through our website to learn more about our diagnostic services and what to expect from your visit to our imaging facility.