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Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Symptoms

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This information was reviewed and approved by Andrew M. Freeman, MD, FACC, FACP (6/1/2019).

What are the Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?


CAD makes it more difficult for oxygen-rich blood to move through arteries. Common symptoms of CAD include:

  • Angina: Upper body pain or pressure. It's usually felt in the chest, but can also be experienced in the back, belly, and even the jaw

  • Shortness of breath: Shortness of breath (dyspnea) with exertion, or chest tightness, squeezing, or burning.

Sometimes CAD has no symptoms, called silent CAD. It can go undiagnosed up until someone has a heart attack, irregular heartbeat or other heart conditions.