Specialties & Services

Coronary Artery Disease

If you have coronary artery disease, you have many options for treating this common condition. Our team has decades of experience diagnosing and treating even the most complex cases. You receive the compassionate, expert care you deserve.

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Why choose us for coronary artery disease?

BJC HealthCare works with WashU Medicine physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to deliver extraordinary care. People from all over the Midwest come to us because we can treat even the most complex coronary artery disease (CAD) cases. Our cardiologists, heart surgeons, and other heart specialists work together to ensure you receive seamless, coordinated care, with a personalized approach.

When you choose our care team you’ll find:

  • Treatment for complex conditions: We’re qualified to treat CAD even when it’s complicated by age, obesity, heart failure, or other conditions. We also can treat challenging forms of CAD, such as coronary artery chronic total occlusion. Even if you’ve been told you’re out of treatment options, we can help.
  • Focus on heart disease prevention: We put a strong emphasis on preventive cardiology to reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attack. Our experts provide guidance, screenings, and the attentive care you need for better heart health.
  • Convenient, accessible care: With cardiologists throughout the region, it’s easy to find heart care close to home.

What is coronary heart disease?

Coronary heart disease happens when the innermost layer of the coronary arteries becomes inflamed and narrowed. This is caused by a buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. These deposits may start in childhood and continue to thicken and enlarge throughout life. This thickening is called atherosclerosis. It can reduce or block blood flow to the heart. A blood clot may also form on top of the plaque. Either of these can lead to a heart attack and even death.

The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle (myocardium). Like all other tissues in the body, the heart muscle needs oxygen-rich blood to work, and oxygen-depleted blood must be carried away. The coronary arteries run along the outside of the heart. They have small branches that supply blood to the heart muscle. The 2 main coronary arteries are the left main and right coronary arteries.

Coronary heart disease is also called coronary artery disease.

 

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Our highly trained team of specialists offers advanced treatments as well as compassionate, personalized care.

Coronary artery disease treatments and procedures

Coronary artery disease treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, preventing CAD from worsening and reducing heart attack risk and other complications. As your care team develops your treatment plan, we work closely with you to understand your needs and preferences.

We consider your symptoms, risk factors and other conditions affecting your health when recommending treatment options. Depending on your specific situation, you may need one or more treatments, including:

Heart-healthy lifestyle changes

 A healthy diet, exercise, not smoking, and keeping your cholesterol and blood pressure under control can reduce CAD symptoms.

Medications for coronary artery disease

 We may recommend medication to control your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and cholesterol and prevent blood clots.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)

 We insert a catheter into a blood vessel and guide it to the blockage. We inflate a small balloon inside the vessel to restore blood flow.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery

 We reroute blood vessels to restore blood flow to your heart, bypassing the blocked vessel. CABG is an open-heart surgery.

Off-pump CABG surgery

 We use special equipment to stabilize you during surgery, so we don't need to stop your heart or put you on a heart-lung machine.

Transmyocardial laser revascularization (TMLR)

 We create tiny channels in your heart muscle to improve blood flow. TMLR doesn't require the use of a heart-lung machine.

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