Stable Coronary Artery Disease
1 medicine
Stable coronary artery disease is a long-term narrowing of the heart's arteries that causes predictable chest discomfort during exertion. It is managed with medicines such as perindopril and lifestyle changes.
Key facts
- Stable coronary artery disease (stable CAD) occurs when fatty plaques build up inside the coronary arteries, narrowing them enough to reduce blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Unlike a heart attack, the plaques in stable CAD are not acutely ruptured; symptoms are predictable and triggered by exertion or stress rather than occurring at rest.
- Medicines from the heart and blood pressure category form the backbone of treatment, including ACE inhibitors such as perindopril.
- Chest pain that becomes more frequent, occurs at rest, or lasts longer than usual needs prompt medical attention.
What the narrowing actually feels like
The hallmark symptom is angina: a tight, heavy, or squeezing sensation in the chest that typically comes on during physical effort, climbing stairs, walking briskly, or carrying something heavy. It usually fades within minutes of resting. Some people feel the discomfort radiate to the jaw, left arm, or upper back, and breathlessness on exertion is also common, particularly as the underlying narrowing progresses.
Keeping the arteries working as well as possible
Medicines from the heart and blood pressure category form the backbone of treatment. ACE inhibitors such as perindopril help protect the heart and blood vessels by relaxing artery walls and reducing the workload on the heart, which matters especially after a previous cardiac event. Alongside medicines, reducing salt intake, quitting smoking, and keeping blood pressure and cholesterol within target ranges each make a measurable difference to long-term outlook. Regular, moderate exercise, once cleared by a doctor, also helps the heart cope better with the reduced blood supply.
When to see a doctor
If chest pain changes, becoming more frequent, happening at rest, or lasting longer than usual, seek medical attention promptly. These changes can signal a shift in the underlying plaques toward a less stable pattern, which needs assessment rather than waiting to see if it settles.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.