Another important test is cardiac catheterization. In this test, a very long and very thin tube is inserted through an artery in the arm or leg and then guided into the heart. Dye is injected into the arteries around the heart. X-rays are taken. The x-rays will show whether any of the arteries that supply the heart are blocked.
Prevention is the best treatment.
Maintaining a healthy diet, a healthy weight and a regular exercise program can help you avoid coronary artery disease. Hormone replacement therapy with a medicine called estrogen also may help prevent coronary artery disease in women after menopause. If you already have coronary artery disease, these steps are important to help keep the problem from getting worse. Most people with heart disease need to take medicine. Medicines called beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and nitrates can help relieve angina.