Experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, or possibly even a heart attack?
You may have Coronary Artery Disease.
Also known as CAD or atherosclerotic heart disease, Coronary Artery Disease is the narrowing of the coronary arteries. This is caused generally by atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque (fatty deposits and cholesterol) inside the coronary arteries.
Coronary arteries are specifically those that supply oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the heart. When those arteries become damaged and narrow due to atherosclerosis, the result is a decrease in blood flow to your heart.
KNOW YOUR BODY. LEARN THE SYMPTOMS.
Initially, you may experience no symptoms at all. That is why it is important to know your family history and schedule an annual baseline checkup in order to proactively prevent a significant blockage or heart attack.
Shortness of breath and fatigue: If your body is experiencing difficulty pumping sufficient blood to meet your physical needs, you may experience fatigue or shortness of breath. As there are many medical conditions that can cause shortness of breath, it is best to schedule an appointment and have a complete physical.
Chest pain or discomfort: A tightness or heaviness in your chest may occur; this is often referred to as angina. You may experience an aching, burning, or numbing type of sensation or pain radiating down your neck, shoulders, back, or arms. It’s often hard to differentiate between angina and a heart attack; the best course of action is to seek medical help.
Heart attack: If your coronary artery is completely blocked, you may suffer a heart attack. The classic symptoms of a heart attack are often different for men than for women. Men may experience a crushing pain in their chests, shoulders, or arms, sometimes accompanied by sweating and shortness of breath. Women may experience neck or jaw pain as well as nausea, fatigue, and shortness of breath. The best course of action is to seek medical treatment right away.
CONTROL THE RISK FACTORS.
While aging and a family history of heart disease puts you at a greater risk for coronary artery disease, there are risk factors that can be controlled, including:
Diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Obesity
Physical inactivity
Poor diet
Smoking
Stress
OUR DIAGNOSIS STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION.
We are big on conversation.
It’s the way we get to know you and understand your medical needs. Additionally, a physical exam, labs, and specific diagnostic tests will enable us to pinpoint the problem and prescribe treatment.
Many of the diagnostic tests recommended for CAD are available in our office, including:
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Echocardiogram
Exercise Stress Test
Nuclear Stress Test
A cardiac catheterization and angiogram, as well as a cardiac CT scan, are sometimes recommended.
THERE IS NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL TREATMENT PLAN.
Once we have a diagnosis, we can customize a treatment plan. Plans usually begin with lifestyle modifications including exercising, healthy eating, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling any issues with blood pressure, diabetes, and/or cholesterol, plus reducing stress.
If lifestyle changes are not sufficient to treat your coronary artery disease, we may explore using different medications, such as:
Aspirin
Beta-Blockers
Calcium Channel Blockers
Ranolazine
Nitroglycerin
Sometimes more aggressive treatment is needed to restore and improve blood flow; this may include an angioplasty with a stent placement or coronary artery bypass surgery. Don’t worry – we will help you schedule those appointments and follow up on the results.
PROTECT YOUR HEART. ENHANCE YOUR LIFE.
It’s really never too early to make healthy lifestyle changes.
Eating healthy foods, exercising, and researching ways to reduce the stress in your life will not only protect your heart, but also enhance your life.
Call Aventura Cardiovascular Center for an appointment, 305.384.4720.
OUR SERVICES
CARDIAC
IMAGING
Getting to the heart of your medical problem is our specialty.
LEONARD J PIANKO MD PA FACC
“My patients know they can count on me as their advocate and to be accessible when they need me. Central to my Aventura practice is an unwavering commitment to personalized, compassionate, and quality care, supporting not only my patients but also their families in making educated medical decisions tailored to their lifestyle and personal story.”
Leonard J. Pianko, MD, founder and medical director of the Aventura Cardiovascular Center, is board-certified in cardiology and internal medicine, with special expertise in cardiovascular disease, preventive cardiology, and non-invasive treatment options, including echocardiogram and nuclear stress testing.
Outstanding Patient Satisfaction
Aventura Cardiovascular Center is proud to provide the highest quality, most professional, patient-centered internal medicine and cardiology care with respect, compassion and outstanding customer service.
The expertise of a seasoned cardiologist with the
personalized approach of a primary physician
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