Skip to main content
Cardiolucent

Condition

Coronary artery disease

Conditions

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and the most common heart problem in adults. It develops when cholesterol-laden plaque accumulates inside the arteries that feed the heart muscle, gradually narrowing them and, more dangerously, occasionally rupturing to trigger a heart attack. CAD is also one of the most modifiable conditions in medicine: outcomes are dramatically influenced by how aggressively risk factors are controlled and how attentively patients are followed. Dr. Kedan evaluates CAD as a lifelong condition that demands proactive, intensive medical management — not occasional follow-up — and coordinates seamlessly with interventional and surgical colleagues at Cedars-Sinai when procedures are warranted.

What Cardiolucent Evaluates

  • Detailed symptom and risk-factor history including occupational and family patterns
  • Resting EKG and POCUS at every visit to capture baseline and interval changes
  • Advanced lipid panel including ApoB and lipoprotein(a)
  • Stress echocardiography, nuclear stress, or coronary CT angiography matched to your presentation
  • Coronary calcium scoring for risk refinement in selected patients
  • Comprehensive metabolic screen including HbA1c, kidney function, and inflammatory markers
  • Post-stent and post-bypass surveillance with structured medication optimization
  • Coordination with interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery at Cedars-Sinai

Common Symptoms

  • Chest pressure, tightness, squeezing, or burning, often substernal
  • Discomfort radiating to the left arm, jaw, neck, shoulder blades, or upper back
  • Shortness of breath with exertion or emotional stress
  • Reduced exercise capacity or fatigue out of proportion to activity
  • Nausea, diaphoresis, or lightheadedness during episodes
  • Symptoms predictably triggered by effort, cold air, or heavy meals and relieved by rest
  • Atypical presentations in women, older adults, and people with diabetes (fatigue, indigestion-like discomfort)
  • Some patients are silent until a heart attack occurs — a reason routine cardiovascular assessment matters

Risk Factors

  • High LDL cholesterol and elevated lipoprotein(a)
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes and insulin resistance
  • Tobacco use, current or past
  • Family history of premature coronary disease
  • Sedentary lifestyle and obesity, especially visceral adiposity
  • Chronic inflammatory conditions and chronic kidney disease
  • Age over 50 and male sex, with women's risk rising sharply after menopause
  • Poor sleep and untreated obstructive sleep apnea

How Cardiolucent Approaches Treatment

Dr. Kedan treats CAD as a multi-decade project: the medical regimen is the long game, and procedures are interventions within it. Optimal medical therapy is built personally — high-intensity LDL lowering with statins augmented by ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, or PCSK9 inhibitors when needed, antiplatelet therapy where indicated, beta-blockers, and ACE/ARB therapy when appropriate. Risk factors are pursued aggressively in parallel: blood pressure, glucose, weight, sleep, and tobacco. When anatomy or symptom burden warrants intervention, Dr. Kedan coordinates directly with the Cedars-Sinai catheterization and surgical teams. The concierge model is structured so that the cardiologist managing your long-term plan is the same person you see at every visit.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the buildup of plaque inside the arteries that supply the heart muscle itself. As plaque narrows those vessels or destabilizes, blood flow to the heart can be reduced or interrupted, leading to angina or a heart attack. It remains the leading cause of death worldwide, but it is also one of the most modifiable when caught and managed proactively.
What are the symptoms of CAD?
Classic symptoms include chest pressure, tightness, or burning that comes on with exertion and eases with rest, often radiating to the jaw, neck, or arm. Some patients experience only shortness of breath, fatigue, or reduced stamina, particularly women, older adults, and people with diabetes. Sudden severe chest pain, especially with sweating, nausea, or breathlessness, should be treated as an emergency — call 911.
How is CAD diagnosed?
Dr. Kedan typically begins with a detailed history, EKG, and risk-factor assessment, then layers in additional testing based on your presentation. This may include stress testing, stress echocardiography, coronary calcium scoring for risk stratification, or referral for coronary CT angiography or invasive angiography when warranted. POCUS at the office adds immediate insight into cardiac structure and function during the visit itself.
What is a coronary calcium score, and should I have one?
A coronary calcium score is a quick, non-invasive CT that quantifies calcified plaque in the coronary arteries. It is especially useful for refining risk in patients whose traditional risk calculation falls in a gray zone — a high score reframes prevention as a priority, while a score of zero is reassuring. Dr. Kedan uses it selectively when the result will meaningfully change the treatment plan.
How is CAD treated?
Optimal medical therapy is the foundation: statins to lower LDL, antiplatelet medication when appropriate, blood pressure control, glucose management, and lifestyle modification. Many patients also benefit from medications that improve symptoms or further reduce events. When narrowing is severe or symptoms are unstable, Dr. Kedan coordinates with interventional cardiology and cardiac surgery at Cedars-Sinai for stenting or bypass.
Can CAD be reversed?
Aggressive risk-factor control — particularly substantial LDL lowering, blood pressure control, and lifestyle change — can stabilize and in some cases regress plaque, and it consistently reduces the chance of future events. Complete reversal is uncommon, but the trajectory of the disease can be changed dramatically. The earlier treatment begins, the more there is to protect.
What happens after a stent or bypass surgery?
Long-term success depends heavily on what happens after the procedure. Dr. Kedan provides structured follow-up that includes medication optimization (including dual antiplatelet therapy when relevant), risk-factor management, supervised exercise, and ongoing surveillance for new disease. The goal is to make the original intervention the last one you ever need.
Is CAD hereditary?
Family history is a meaningful and well-established risk factor, especially when a first-degree relative had heart disease at a young age. That said, genetics interact strongly with cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking, and metabolic health, all of which can be modified. A strong family history is a reason to screen earlier and treat more assertively — not a guarantee of disease.
How often should I see a cardiologist if I have CAD?
Most patients with stable CAD are seen every 3–6 months for medication review, biomarker tracking, and POCUS reassessment when needed. Visits become more frequent after a recent event, medication change, or new symptoms. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kedan to design a follow-up rhythm that matches your specific risk profile.

Explore

Related Conditions

Ready to learn more about Coronary artery disease?

Schedule a private consultation with Dr. Kedan in Beverly Hills.
Schedule an Appointment

Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.