Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

The short answer

Coronary artery disease is plaque building up inside the arteries that feed your heart muscle, narrowing them until not enough blood gets through. That is what causes chest pain on exertion. When a clot blocks one of those arteries completely, it becomes a heart attack. Over time it can also weaken the muscle enough to cause heart failure or upset the heart's rhythm.

Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as ischemic heart disease (IHD), is the most common type of heart disease, and the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women. Types include stable angina, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death.

Illustration of coronary artery with atherosclerosis

What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

Coronary artery disease happens when the arteries that supply blood to heart muscle become hardened and narrowed. This is due to the buildup of cholesterol and other material, called plaque, on their inner walls. This buildup is called atherosclerosis. As it grows, less blood can flow through the arteries. As a result, the heart muscle can’t get the blood or oxygen it needs. This can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. Most heart attacks happen when a blood clot suddenly cuts off the hearts’ blood supply, causing permanent heart damage. Over time, CAD can also weaken the heart muscle and contribute to heart failure and arrhythmias. Heart failure means the heart can’t pump blood well to the rest of the body. Arrhythmias are changes in the normal beating rhythm of the heart.

What are the signs & symptoms of CAD?

A common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may travel into the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw. Occasionally it may feel like heartburn. Usually symptoms occur with exercise or emotional stress, last less than a few minutes, and improve with rest. Shortness of breath may also occur and sometimes no symptoms are present. In many cases, the first sign is a heart attack. Other complications include heart failure or an abnormal heartbeat

What our patients say

4.3 Based on 22 Google reviews

Michael Prae

A little blonde Russian woman named Natasha asked me to post about her renal procedure. It was done by Dr. Khorsandi at CACVI. They took absolutely amazing care of her and went above and beyond to treat her terribly high blood pressure. They lasered her renal artery. After the procedure it wouldn’t stop bleeding so they ended up staying w her at the center until 9pm. That’s when they finally had to call the ambulance to move her to E.R. All of the staff were incredibly professional and their care was second to none. Dr. Lala promised her that her high blood pressure would go away. It has and now she’s throwing out all her old med’s just like Lala promised. This group of Doctors is like no other. If you have any of these cardiac issues then you’ve found your saving grace. No need to look any further. They were incredibly patient and helpful in every medical way possible. Natasha has found a new way of living. Without her terrible pounding migraines she had on a daily basis. 5 stars all the way. They deserve all the praise possible. They provided a miracle. Thank you Dr’s Lala & Khorsandi.

3 weeks ago Tarzana Read on Google

Nick Derian

On behalf of my father, a patient of CACVI, I wanted to acknowledge and praise the entire team of this organization for its outstanding surgical expertise and knowledgeable/warm supporting staff. We had gone through countless recommendations that all claimed there was only one last option for treatment, amputation. That news is devastating for anyone to hear, and resulted in my father having little faith that the quality of his life would ever be the same... All that changed the moment we had our first interaction with this organization. The care, knowledge, and most importantly hope that there was still options if we acted fast was single moment that turned this entire nightmare around. Thank you CACVI for being the single most important piece to solving my father's health crisis. Dont think twice, make the appointment and atleast go meet and see them-- for us it was the moment that changed the trajectory of our situation forever for the better.

a month ago Tarzana Read on Google

Matt Golad

I’m 41 years old, and I have something called May-Thurner’s Syndrome. However, it wasn’t until I saw Dr. Vasim Lala a couple years ago that I was diagnosed with it. May-Thurner’s syndrome is when the main veins that split off into your legs is compressed by the main arteries that split off into your legs. The result is that the blood that should be coming back up through the leg veins pools at your ankles. My whole life until I was diagnosed, I was lethargic. My legs felt heavy. I started to develop purple bruising around my ankles in my twenties. I started to get varicose veins on my calves. I thought this was normal. I was living on “hard mode” and didn’t know it. If I was on my feet for extended periods of time, my legs would swell a lot. I thought maybe I need to lose some weight. When I started teaching a few years ago, I would be on my feet 6-8 hours a day. One day, I got home, and my left leg was so swollen my wife was concerned I had a blood clot. I went to the emergency room, and thankfully it was just superficial. I temporarily went on blood thinners and was recommended to see Dr. Lala. He changed my life. I’d shown my purpling ankles to GP’s. They’d seen my varicose veins. But none if them put all the signs together until I saw Dr. Lala. He diagnosed me with May-Thurner’s syndrome and recommend we put stents in my veins to prevent them from being compressed by the arteries. So we did the surgeries. Out patient procedures. My legs stopped swelling a lot. I started wearing compression socks. I had to be on blood thinners for a year, but eventually I was able to stop taking them which was great. But I still had varicose veins in my legs because they had widened from the blood pooling in them for years. I’ve had two ablations per leg since them, which closes the affected veins, and I’ve got a new lease on life. My legs feel lighter. They don’t swell nearly as much. The varicose veins have disappeared. Now, I’m lighter on my feet. I’m not lethargic. There’s a pep in my step. I have one more ablation each being scheduled. I’m thankful for Dr. Lala and his incredible team at CACVI for their diagnosis and treatment. It truly changed my life.

4 months ago Tarzana Read on Google

PAK SHIP ALL

On August 27, 2025, I had my leg Angio done with Dr. K. who is best of the best. Amazing Doctor and extremely knowledgeable. The nurse who helped me, JULIAN she has a very kind heart. She has a lot of knowledge and made me feel extremely relaxed. She went above and beyond her responsibilities. It seems God made her to be kind and caring for all the patients. I salute her and look forward to having same nurse for procedure in my other leg. I came home with a big Smile. Thank you Thank you Thank you

10 months ago Tarzana Read on Google

Common Types of Arrhythmia

Heart arrhythmias are broadly divided into two major groups, tachycardia and bradycardia.

1. Tachycardia—Fast Heartbeat

Tachycardia occurs when the heart beats faster than normal, typically over 100 beats per minute. You may notice a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest discomfort. Persistent tachycardia can increase the risk of complications if left untreated.

Tachycardia can further be broken down into:

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heartbeat originating in the atria (the heart’s upper chambers). It can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, weakness, or chest pain. AF increases the risk of blood clots, stroke, and other complications, making timely diagnosis and management essential.

Atrial Flutter

The difference between atrial flutter and AFib is that the heartbeat is more organized. It often causes a fast but regular heartbeat and may lead to symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort. While it is not as severe as AFib, atrial flutter can still increase your risk of blood clots and stroke if left untreated.

Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)

This life-threatening form of arrhythmia occurs when the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers) quiver instead of pumping blood. V-fib can cause a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure, leading to collapse or cardiac arrest. Early detection and prompt intervention are important to boost the patient’s chances of survival.

Supraventricular Tachycardia

In the case of supraventricular tachycardia, you’ll experience a rapid heartbeat above your ventricles, which usually leads to palpitations, a pounding chest, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath. An episode can range from seconds to hours and can come without warning. It is not always dangerous, but it can be disruptive and uncomfortable to deal with.

Ventricular Tachycardia

This is another form of arrhythmia that happens in the ventricles and it may prevent the heart from pumping blood properly. It can cause symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, and even fainting. VT can be serious, especially if it lasts longer than a few seconds, as it may progress to ventricular fibrillation.

2. Bradycardia—Slow Heartbeat

Bradycardia is characterized by a slower-than-normal heartbeat, usually under 60 beats per minute. Symptoms can include fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or difficulty exercising. While sometimes harmless, severe bradycardia may require medical evaluation or intervention.

It usually occurs in two primary forms:

Sick Sinus Syndrome

Although it can be mild at first, sick sinus syndrome often requires medical evaluation to prevent worsening rhythm problems. When the sinus node, your heart’s natural pacemaker, doesn’t work as it should, this is called sick sinus syndrome. It can cause the heart to alternate between beating too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. Symptoms typically include fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, and fainting.

Conduction Block

A conduction block, or a heart block, happens when the electrical signals that travel through your heart are delayed or stopped. This could result in your heart beating slower or skipping beats entirely. You may also experience lightheadedness, fainting, or noticeable fatigue.

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Arrhythmia and When Should You See a Doctor?

You should see a doctor if you notice frequent or persistent irregular heartbeats, especially if accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

A fluttering, pounding or racing feeling in the chest
A fast heartbeat
A slow heartbeat
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Anxiety
Feeling very tired
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Sweating
Fainting or almost fainting
Heart palpitations

Heart Arrhythmia Diagnosis & Treatment

Because arrhythmias can present differently in each individual, it’s best for doctors to conduct a thorough evaluation. This will allow them to pinpoint the underlying cause and create a treatment plan tailored to your condition.

Diagnosis typically begins with a comprehensive review of your symptoms, medical history, and overall heart health. From there, your doctor may recommend one or more diagnostic procedures, such as an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a stress test, to assess your heart’s structure, rhythm, and electrical activity.

Heart Arrhythmia Treatments

Treatment for heart arrhythmia depends on the type, its severity, and your overall health. Your doctor will develop a personalized plan based on your specific diagnosis and symptoms.

Lifestyle recommendations are often the first step in managing mild arrhythmias. Improving your sleep habits, managing stress, and reducing caffeine or alcohol intake can help stabilize your heart rate and reduce episodes over time. If necessary, your doctor may also place you on medications to help regulate your heart. For complex cases, your doctor may recommend advanced procedures such as catheter ablation or the use of implantable devices, including pacemakers or defibrillators, which help regulate the heart’s rhythm automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have any questions, our team is here to help. You can speak with one of our board-certified specialists by booking a consultation, where we’ll review your symptoms, perform any necessary testing, and guide you toward the right next steps for your heart health.

What Is the Most Serious Type of Arrhythmia?

The most serious type of arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation (V-fib), a life-threatening condition where the heart’s lower chambers quiver instead of pumping blood.

What Is an Irregular Heartbeat?

An irregular heartbeat, also known as an arrhythmia, occurs when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or inconsistently. It may feel like fluttering, skipping beats, or a sudden racing sensation.

What Heart Rate is Considered Abnormal?

A resting heart rate consistently below 60 beats per minute (bradycardia) or above 100 beats per minute (tachycardia) is generally considered abnormal.

How Is Arrhythmia Diagnosed?

Arrhythmia is diagnosed through tests that measure the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm. Some common procedures for running these tools include electrocardiograms (EKGs), Holter monitors, stress tests, and echocardiograms. After running these tests, a doctor then uses this information to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Schedule a personalized assessment and find out your treatment options.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Dr. Moinakhtar Lala and Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi of CACVI

Dr. M Lala, Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi and Dr. V Lala

Meet Your Specialists

The Center for Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Interventions (CACVI) is led by Dr. M Lala, Dr. Khorsandi, and Dr. V Lala, who have over thirty years of practice with over 15,000 vascular and cardiac procedures performed. Our physicians are determined to provide each patient with experienced, compassionate care as they work diligently to improve your health.