The most prevalent kind of heart disease, coronary artery disease (CAD), is likely to be present in at least an early stage even if you lead a healthy lifestyle.
Fatty plaque accumulation in the coronary arteries—the blood channels that provide oxygen and blood to the heart—usually marks the start of CAD. This material is referred to as “soft plaque,” which indicates that calcium deposits have not yet solidified it into “hard plaque”.
Because soft plaque is more prone to burst, obstruct blood flow, and cause a heart attack, it may be more hazardous than hard plaque. According to Dr. Howard LeWine, Chief Medical Editor at Harvard Health Publishing, “CAD frequently develops well before chest discomfort or other symptoms manifest.” “But you can typically stop the disease from advancing because there are ways to assess if you have CAD or are at high risk for it.”
CAD self-evaluation
How can you determine whether you have early-stage CAD? It starts with some introspection. Do you get dizzy or break out in a cold sweat when working out? Do you have soreness in your arms or chest when doing out? Do you get out of breath after climbing multiple flights of stairs?