What is the main goal of managing patients with coronary artery disease?

The main goal of managing patients with coronary artery disease is to prevent heart attacks and improve quality of life. This focus addresses the primary concerns associated with coronary artery disease, which significantly increases the risk for acute coronary events such as myocardial infarctions. Effective management strategies encompass lifestyle modifications, medication adherence, and, when necessary, interventional procedures aimed at stabilizing plaque buildup in the coronary arteries and improving blood flow.

Improving quality of life is also crucial, as patients often experience symptoms like angina, fatigue, and anxiety related to their condition. By successfully managing these aspects, healthcare providers can help patients maintain functional capacity, reduce symptoms, and promote overall well-being.

While ensuring regular heart rhythm can be important in specific cases, it is not the primary focus of managing coronary artery disease, which deals more broadly with preventing coronary events and enhancing quality of life. Weight loss may be part of an overall health strategy for patients but is not the central goal in the context of treating coronary artery disease. Increasing cholesterol levels is contrary to the objectives of management, as high cholesterol is a risk factor for the progression of coronary artery disease.