How is the severity of coronary artery disease evaluated?

• A. By assessing the degree of stenosis during angiography
• B. By measuring blood pressure during exercise
• C. Through a patient's family medical history
• D. By conducting a physical examination alone

Answer: (A)

The severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is primarily evaluated by assessing the degree of stenosis during angiography. Angiography is a specialized imaging technique that allows clinicians to visualize the coronary arteries and identify areas of narrowing or blockage. The extent of stenosis, which refers to the narrowing of the arteries, is a critical factor in determining how much blood flow is being reduced to the heart muscle.

This evaluation helps guide treatment decisions, such as whether a patient may require medication management, further non-invasive testing, or invasive procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery. While other methods such as measuring blood pressure during exercise or evaluating family medical history can provide supplementary information about a patient's risk or overall health, they do not directly assess the anatomical severity of CAD. Likewise, a physical examination alone may offer limited insights into coronary artery health without the detailed imaging provided by angiography.