Coronary Artery Disease

What is Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease is the narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the arteries that bring oxygen rich blood to the heart muscle. This narrowing or blockage is caused by atherosclerosis (sometimes referred to as “hardening” or “clogging” of the arteries), which is the buildup of cholesterol and fatty deposits (plaque) on the inner walls of the arteries that restricts blood flow to the heart.

Without adequate blood, the heart loses oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to work properly and this can cause chest pain called angina and shortness of breath. When one or more of the coronary arteries are completely blocked, areas of the heart muscle may be damaged. In severe case the heart muscle dies. This can lead to a heart attack. Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease and is the leading cause of death worldwide.

Treat Coronary Artery Disease at the Center for Advanced Cardiac Surgery

The Center for Advanced Cardiac Surgery is one of the fastest growing centers in the New England region for the treatment of coronary artery disease. Our senior cardiac surgeons work side-by-side with St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center’s cardiology team to provide integrated, coordinated care for our patients. In addition to providing high quality care, our multidisciplinary teams are experts in diagnosing and treating coronary artery disease.

Offering innovative surgical procedures, which can improve patient outcomes and reduce recovery times, is paramount at the Center for Advanced Cardiac Surgery. Depending on a patient’s treatment plan, we perform routine bypass surgery or minimally invasive procedures, which may use robotic-assisted approaches to repair the coronary circulation.

Meet with a doctor within 1 week

To learn more about how we can help you, contact us. We’ll return your call the same day and can secure you an appointment with one of our doctors within the week.

Call 617.789.2045 to request an appointment.