Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when fatty deposits build up along the walls of the arteries in a condition called atherosclerosis (or hardening of the arteries). The arteries become narrow, decreasing or blocking the flow of oxygen and blood to the heart. Patients with coronary heart disease often experience chest discomfort (angina) and are at serious risk of heart attack and heart failure.

At the Cardiac Innovations & Structural Heart Center^® located in the Heart Hospital of Edward-Elmhurst Health, you’ll find highly-trained cardiac surgeons and cardiologists who specialize in coronary artery disease, and train other doctors in the latest treatment techniques.

Find a specialist

Comprehensive treatment options for CAD

At Edward-Elmhurst, you have access to a wide range of treatments to manage discomfort, disease and prevent serious consequences. Options include:

• Medication – The side effects and, in some cases prevention, of CAD can sometimes be managed by medications that control blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, and reduce the risk of blood clots.
• Angioplasty, often referred to as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) – These procedures, performed by interventional cardiologists to open blood vessels, include balloon angioplasty, coronary artery stents, drug-eluting stents and atherectomy. High risk procedures can be supported at our facilities with state of the art percutaneous assist devices.
• Heart bypass surgery – These surgeries, including coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, create a new route for blood and oxygen to flow to the heart.

Advanced treatment for chronic total occlusion (CTO)

Our interventional cardiologists perform the latest PCI procedures, providing you with advanced techniques in the treatment of coronary artery disease, which bypass the need for surgery. Patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO) may benefit from a percutaneous procedure that begins with a needle stick through the skin to open blocked arteries, offering a minimally invasive option to patients who aren’t candidates for open heart surgery.

Education and support for cardiac patients

Lifestyle modifications are an important part of controlling CAD. Our healthcare team can provide you with education and support to help you manage your weight, quit smoking and lower your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels.

Learn how cardiac rehabilitation can help you maintain cardiac health after a heart attack or surgery.

Take advantage of our Healthy Driven programs and resources.

Heart and vascular locations