Blood tests - blood tests check the levels of certain fats, cholesterol, sugar, and proteins in your blood and abnormal levels may indicate risk factors for atherosclerosis.

EKG (Electrocardiogram) - an EKG is a simple test that detects and records the electrical activity of the heart and shows how fast the heart is beating and whether it has a regular rhythm. It also shows the strength and timing of electrical signals as they pass through each part of the heart. Certain electrical patterns that the EKG detects can suggest whether CAD is likely. An EKG can show signs of a previous or current heart attack.

Chest X-Ray - a chest x-ray takes a picture of organs and structures inside the chest, including heart, lungs, and blood vessels - a chest x-ray can also reveal signs of heart failure.

Ankle/Brachial Index - this test compares the blood pressure in your ankle with the blood pressure in your arm to see how well your blood is flowing. This test can help diagnose PAD.

Echocardiography - this test uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart and provides information about the size and shape of your heart and how well your heart chambers and valves are working. The test can identify areas of poor blood flow to the heart, areas of the heart muscle that aren't contracting normally, and previous injury to the heart muscle caused by poor blood flow.

Computed Tomography Scan - a computed tomography, or CT, scan creates computer-generated images of the heart, brain, or other areas of the body. The test can often show hardening and narrowing of large arteries.

Stress Testing - during stress testing, exercise is used to make the heart work hard and beat fast while heart tests are performed - if a person is unable to exercise, medicines are given to speed up the heart rate. When the heart is beating fast and working hard, it needs more blood and oxygen and arteries narrowed by plaque cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood to meet the heart's needs - a stress test can show possible signs of CAD, such as:

• Abnormal changes in the heart rate or blood pressure;

• Symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain;

• Abnormal changes in your heart rhythm or your heart's electrical activity.

During a stress test, if a person is unable to exercise for as long as it is considered normal for their age, it may be a sign that not enough blood is flowing to the heart. Other factors besides CAD can prevent a person from exercising long enough (for example, lung diseases, anemia, or poor general fitness).

Some stress tests use a radioactive dye, sound waves, positron emission tomography (PET), or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to take pictures of the heart when it's working hard and when it's at rest. These imaging stress tests can show how well blood is flowing in the different parts of the heart, and can also show how well the heart pumps blood when it beats.

Angiography - angiography is a test that uses dye and special x-rays to show the insides of arteries and can reveal whether plaque is blocking the arteries and how severe the plaque is. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put into a blood vessel in the arm, groin (upper thigh), or neck. A dye that can be seen on an x-ray is then injected into the arteries and by looking at the x-ray picture, a doctor can see the flow of blood through the arteries.

There are currently no treatments that can reverse atherosclerosis, but healthy lifestyle changes may help stop it from getting worse.

Sometimes additional treatment to reduce the risk of problems like heart attacks and strokes may also be recommended, such as:

• statins for high cholesterol; 

• medicines for high blood, medicines to reduce the risk of blood clots;

• dietary changes and medication for diabetes; 

• a procedure to widen or bypass an affected artery – such as coronary angioplasty, a coronary artery bypass graft, or carotid endarterectomy.