HARVARD HEALTH PUBLISHING AND 3 EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON: WHAT HAPPENS IF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE IS LEFT UNTREATED?
Answered by Dr. Howard E. Lewine
M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is most often caused by fatty plague buildup in the walls of the arteries, which reduces blood flow to heart muscle cells. You can prevent developing CAD by doing the following: • Quit smoking • Eat a healthy diet • Reduce your LDL (bad) cholesterol • Reduce high blood pressure • Lose weight • Exercise. If left untreated, the coronary arteries will continue to build plaque, increasing the risk of developing problems such as angina, having a heart attack and damaging heart muscle cells enough to cause heart failure.
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Answered by Dr. Daniel A. Foster
DO, MPH · 16 years of experience · USA
If left untreated, CAD can develop into a variety of additional cardiac problems, some of which can be fatal: Shock caused by the heart: After a serious insult to the heart muscle, this life-threatening emergency might occur. A cardiac attack or a severe arrhythmia are examples of this type of harm (irregular heart rhythm).
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Answered by Dr. Animesh Hore
MBBS · 4 years of experience · India
Coronary Artery Disease can lead to Myocardial infection. There may be chances if Heart Failure. Arrhythmias are common if CAD left untreated. Ultimately these complications lead to death.
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Answered by Dr. Sadhvi Mythili
MBBS,DNB psychiatry · 6 years of experience · India
Untreated coronary artery disease can lead to multiple heart problems. It can lead to arrhythmias. Severe cases can lead to Heart failure. Increased incidence of clots in blood when there is no good flow in circulation can increase risk of stroke and pulmonary embolism.
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→ Learn more about coronary artery disease: See the causes, symptoms, treatment options and more.
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Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.