At the Cardiovascular Clinic of Arizona, Dr. Kassim discusses your medical history and symptoms, completes a physical exam, and orders diagnostic tests to detect or rule out coronary artery disease and its complications. You might undergo blood tests, an electrocardiogram (EKG), an echocardiogram, a nuclear stress test, an exercise stress test, or a heart CT scan.

During cardiac catheterization, Dr. Kassim inserts a flexible tube through a blood vessel in your groin or wrist to your heart. A dye flows through the catheter to make blood vessels show up better on images to outline blockages. If you have a blockage, Dr. Kassim can inflate a balloon tip to widen an artery and hold it open using a mesh tube.

Other CAD treatments include medications, dietary supplements, coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), lifestyle changes, and cardiac rehabilitation. Avoid smoking, maintain an ideal body weight, manage stress, and properly control blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels. 

Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and other fiber-rich options. Limit or avoid alcohol, exercise regularly and take dietary supplements if asked to.

Schedule an appointment at the Cardiovascular Clinic of Arizona by phone or request one online today to get evaluated or treated for coronary artery disease.