In this article, we discuss Management for Coronary Artery Disease and Differentiating between Asymptomatic Coronary Artery Disease vs Stable Angina vs Unstable Angina vs NSTEMI vs STEMI in patients with chest pain. We share a table for similarities and differences and flow chart for management of coronary artery disease. We cover stress tests and medications for coronary artery disease. Enjoy!

Asymptomatic CAD | Stable Angina | Unstable Angina | NSTEMI | STEMI | |
Pain | – | Exertion worsens | Pain during rest | Pain during rest | Pain during rest |
Relieves | – | Relieves with Rest | – | – | – |
Biomarkers (Troponin) | – | – | – | Increased | Increased |
ST Changes on EKG | – | – | – | – | Increased |
Occlusion % | <50% | 70% | 90% | 90% | 100% |
vs Stable Angina vs Unstable Angina vs NSTEMI vs STEMI (Moosmosis Organization)

Flow Chart for Management with Chest Pain/Coronary Artery Disease
- EKG –> is there ST elevations changes –> Catheter Lab
- No ST elevation changes –> get the Troponin Labs
- Troponin Lab positive? –> urgent Cath lab
- Troponin Lab negative? –> get that Stress Test
- Stress Test Positive? –> get elective Cath lab
Stress Tests for Coronary Artery Disease
Can the patient exercise? If yes, you evaluate with the Treadmill Stress Test.
The patient cannot exercise? You evaluate with Pharmacological Stress Test.
Circulatory System: Blood Flow Pathway Through the Heart
CABG vs Cardiac Stents for Coronary Artery Disease
3 vessels –> likely get a CABG
1 or 2 vessels –> likely get a Cardiac Stent
4 Medications that Coronary Artery Disease Patients will likely be on
aspirin, beta-blockers, ace-inhibitors, statin
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Categories: Biology, cell biology, health, medicine, stem
Excellent article and nice table!
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Thank you, kind soul! Glad you enjoyed the article and table. Happy learning! 😉
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Wonderful site!
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Thank you Alex! Glad you found this helpful. Happy learning! 🙂
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Concise and helpful!
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Thank you! That’s very nice of you. Glad you found this helpful!
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I love your articles! They’re fantastic!
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Thank you , Brianna! Your kindness makes our day. 🙂 Happy learning!
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Stellar article on chest pain! My grandpa recently had cardiac stents placed for his coronary artery disease
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Thank you K. Stevenson! Sending your grandpa well wishes and speedy recovery!
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Exceptional essay on chest pain types! Helpful for EKG interpretation and management
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Thank you, Dr. Loy! So excited to hear this. 🙂
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Chest pain is very common. Excellent guide!
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