Like other tissues in the body, the heart needs oxygen-rich blood to function. Also, oxygen-depleted blood must be carried away. The coronary arteries serve both functions as they run along the outside of the heart and branch into the heart bringing blood in and taking blood out.
Since the coronary arteries deliver blood to the heart, any coronary artery disorder or disease can have a serious impact, possibly creating a blockage, which may reduce the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. The result may lead to a heart attack and possibly death. Atherosclerosis (a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery causing it to narrow or become blocked) is the most common cause of heart disease.
The Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute uses advanced imaging equipment to look for possible blockages in coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the heart) through the use of cardiac catheterization. These procedures require small, thin, flexible plastic tubes (catheters) to be inserted into the blood vessels, which are carefully threaded through arteries to determine if there are any blockages. By assessing coronary (heart) or peripheral arteries (in the neck, arms or legs), doctors can develop a treatment plan for the blocked blood vessels.
Treatments for coronary artery disease include:
Summa also uses a variety of noninvasive tests to record images of the heart and see how the heart is functioning during both contraction and relaxation. All without catheters, tubes or needles inserted into the body.
To learn more about how Summa Health Heart and Vascular Institute treats coronary artery disease, call for an appointment today.
