Coronary heart disease is a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is also called coronary artery disease.

The most common symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD) is chest pain called angina. This can feel like pressure, tightness, or squeezing in the chest. Angina can happen during or after exercise or with intense emotions like anger or grief. The pain usually goes away after resting or taking a medication called nitroglycerin.  

Other CHD symptoms include: 

• Shortness of breath 

• Tiredness 

• Weakness 

• Dizziness 

• Fatigue 

• Feeling lightheaded 

In serious cases, CHD can lead to a heart attack. A heart attack can feel like severe chest pain that doesn’t go away and may spread to the arms, neck, or back. Some people may feel sick to their stomach, break out in a sweat, or feel like their heart is thumping, racing, or fluttering. If symptoms of a heart attack are present, call 911 or visit the Emergency Room immediately. 

Treatment for CHD includes lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgery. Lifestyle changes involve eating healthier, staying active, quitting smoking, and managing stress. These changes improve heart health and prevent the disease from getting worse. Doctors may prescribe medicines to lower cholesterol, control blood pressure, or prevent blood clots. In some cases, a doctor may recommend a procedure like angioplasty, where a balloon is used to open blocked arteries, or bypass surgery, where a new path for blood flow is created. Regular check-ups with a doctor and sticking to the treatment plan are important for managing CHD. 

Cardiologists are the main doctors who treat CHD. They specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases of the heart and blood vessels (e.g., arteries, capillaries, veins, etc.) If surgery is needed, a heart surgeon, called a cardiothoracic surgeon, may perform procedures like heart bypass surgery, valve repairs or replacements, and heart transplants. Primary care doctors may also help by managing overall health and making sure the disease doesn’t get worse. Other healthcare professionals, like dietitians and physical therapists, may help with nutrition and exercise.  

The terms coronary artery disease (CAD) and coronary heart disease (CHD) are often used interchangeably, but CAD can lead to CHD. CAD happens when the arteries that bring blood to the heart get narrowed or blocked by a buildup of plaque. This plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. When these blockages cause symptoms like chest pain, the condition is called CHD. 

Life expectancy for someone with CHD depends on several factors, including age, overall health, and how well they manage the disease. People who follow their doctor’s advice and make lifestyle changes – like watching their nutrition, managing stress, and quitting smoking – can live many years with CHD. Medicines that lower cholesterol and control blood pressure can also help improve life expectancy. Some people may need surgery to improve blood flow to the heart. Regular doctor visits are important to monitor the disease and catch problems early.  

There are various reasons why you may want to see a specialist, such as: 

• Your primary care provider recommends it. 

• Your condition requires expert knowledge and specialized care. 

• Your symptoms persist or worsen despite treatment. 

• You need specialized testing or procedures. 

• You want a second opinion.  

It’s important to see a provider with expertise in your specific condition. Each provider profile in MediFind’s doctor database includes information on which conditions they treat, years of experience, research contributions, languages spoken, insurance plans accepted, and more.  

You can find a Coronary Heart Disease doctor in any of the 10 largest U.S. cities by clicking below:

Coronary Heart Disease doctor near New York, NY
Coronary Heart Disease doctor near Los Angeles, CA
Coronary Heart Disease doctor near Chicago, IL
Coronary Heart Disease doctor near Houston, TX
Coronary Heart Disease doctor near Phoenix, AZ
Coronary Heart Disease doctor near Philadelphia, PA
Coronary Heart Disease doctor near Atlanta, GA
Coronary Heart Disease doctor near Boston, MA
Coronary Heart Disease doctor near Dallas, TX
Coronary Heart Disease doctor near San Jose, CA

MediFind’s rankings are based on a variety of data sources, such as the number of articles a doctor has published in medical journals, participation in clinical trials and industry conferences, as well as the number of patients that provider sees for a given condition. Note that MediFind’s provider database is not based on user reviews, and providers do not pay to be included in the database. 

Most profiles in MediFind’s doctor database include a list of insurance plans accepted by that provider. However, it’s a good idea to contact the provider’s office to make sure they still accept your insurance, then doublecheck by contacting your insurance plan to confirm they’re in network. 

MediFind offers direct scheduling for certain providers using the “Request Appointment” button on that provider’s profile. If the schedule option is not available for a provider, tap the red “Show Phone Number” button on their profile to get their contact information. If you prefer to find providers who offer online scheduling, select “Schedules online” under the “Availability” category of the filter feature on the left side of the Coronary Heart Disease doctor search results page. 

Second opinions are an opportunity to confirm a diagnosis and its root cause, learn about alternative treatment options, or simply gain peace of mind. Many people, especially those with serious diagnoses, get second opinions so they can understand all their options and make informed decisions, so don’t hesitate to get one if you have any doubts or need more information or clarification regarding your care. Note that some insurance plans require second opinions, while others don’t cover second opinions, so be sure to confirm with your insurance provider first.   

Prepare for your appointment by gathering the following items: 

• Copies of medical records (dating back at least one year) 

• Your medical history, including illnesses, medical conditions, surgeries, and other doctors you see 

• Family history of disease 

• List of current prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal remedies or supplements including names and doses 

• Allergies to medications, food, latex, insects, etc.  

• List of questions and concerns 

• Your insurance card 

You might also contact the provider’s office to see if they offer transportation or childcare services or if you’re allowed to bring a loved one for support or to take notes during your visit. 

Here are some sample questions: 

• Can you explain in simple terms what this condition is and how it’s treated? 

• What symptoms or side effects should I watch for? 

• What tests will be involved, and when can I expect results? 

• Are there other specialists I need to see? 

• What’s the best way to reach you if I have follow-up questions? 

MediFind’s Clinical Trials tool asks you a series of questions to help you narrow down your search by health condition, age, gender, location, how far you’re willing to travel, and more. Each question you answer filters down the number of trials until you find the ones that are most relevant to you. 

MediFind’s Latest Advances tool features summaries of recent articles published in medical journals. We use cutting-edge technology to scour medical publication databases for the latest research advancements on any given condition, then we simplify this information in a way that’s useful and easy to understand. 

Look for the filter feature on the left side of the Coronary Heart Disease doctor search results page. Select “Female” or “Male” under the “Gender” category to search for female or male providers exclusively. If the “Any” option is selected, it will pull results for both male and female providers. 

Look for the filter feature on the left-side of the Coronary Heart Disease doctor search results page. Select “Offers telehealth visits” under the Availability category to search for providers who offer virtual appointments (video calls). 

Reviewed on: 11/11/24  

By: MediFind Medical Staff 

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