Coronary Artery Disease

When Your Heart's Blood Supply Is Compromised

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries supplying blood to your heart muscle become narrowed or blocked by cholesterol plaques. It’s the most common heart condition in South Africa and a leading cause of heart attacks.

What Causes Coronary Artery Disease?

What Causes Coronary Artery Disease? CAD develops over years as cholesterol, fat, and other substances build up in artery walls (atherosclerosis). Risk factors include:

High cholesterol levels
High blood pressure
Smoking
Diabetes
Family history
Sedentary lifestyle
Stress
Age

Understanding your risk factors helps us create targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Recognising the Symptoms

CAD symptoms may include:

Angina (Chest Pain)

Pressure, tightness, or squeezing in the chest
Pain radiating to arms, neck, jaw, or back
Often triggered by physical activity or stress

Other Warning Signs:

Shortness of breath
Fatigue with normal activities
Heart palpitations
Dizziness
Nausea during exertion

Some patients, particularly diabetics, may have minimal symptoms despite significant disease.

Our Treatment Approach

Comprehensive CAD Management Dr. Naidoo’s expertise in complex coronary disease ensures optimal treatment outcomes:

Medical Management

Cholesterol-lowering medications (statins)
Anti-platelet therapy (aspirin, clopidogrel)
Blood pressure control
Angina medications (nitrates, beta-blockers)
Diabetes optimisation

Interventional Options

Coronary angiography for precise diagnosis
Angioplasty and stenting to open blocked arteries
Complex coronary interventions for difficult cases
Evaluation for bypass surgery when indicated

Lifestyle Modification

Structured exercise programmes
Dietary counselling
Smoking cessation support
Stress management techniques
Weight optimisation

Advanced Treatments for Complex Cases

Expertise in Refractory Angina

Dr. Naidoo specialises in managing patients with persistent angina despite standard treatment. Options include:

Novel anti-anginal medications
Cardiac rehabilitation programmes
Pain management strategies
Consideration for advanced interventions

Long Term Management

Preventing Future Events After initial treatment, ongoing care focuses on:

Regular monitoring with stress tests and imaging
Medication adjustments based on response
Risk factor modification
Early detection of new blockages
Coordination with cardiac rehabilitation

Our goal is preventing heart attacks while maintaining your quality of life.

All Services

About Dr Naidoo

FAQs

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Can coronary artery disease be reversed?

While we cannot completely reverse established plaques, aggressive risk factor modification can stabilise and even modestly reduce plaque burden. Lifestyle changes combined with medications can halt progression and significantly reduce heart attack risk. Some patients show remarkable improvement with dedicated management.

How do I know if I need an angiogram?

Angiography is recommended when symptoms persist despite medication, stress tests show significant abnormalities, or you've had a heart attack. Dr. Naidoo will discuss the benefits and risks, ensuring you understand why the procedure is recommended for your specific situation.

What's the difference between angioplasty and bypass surgery?

Angioplasty involves opening blocked arteries from inside using balloons and stents, performed through a small puncture. Bypass surgery creates new routes around blockages using grafted vessels, requiring open-chest surgery. The choice depends on the number, location, and complexity of blockages, plus your overall health.

How soon can I return to normal activities after stenting?

Most patients resume light activities within days and return to work within a week. Full recovery typically takes 4-6 weeks. Dr. Naidoo provides personalised recovery plans based on your procedure complexity and overall health. Cardiac rehabilitation accelerates safe return to full activity.

Will I need medication forever after diagnosis?

Most CAD patients require long-term medication to prevent progression and reduce heart attack risk. However, as your condition stabilises and risk factors improve, medications may be adjusted. Dr. Naidoo regularly reviews your treatment, ensuring you're on the minimum effective therapy while maintaining protection.