Is mild cardiovascular stenosis considered coronary heart disease?

In general, coronary heart disease refers to coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Whether mild cardiovascular narrowing qualifies as coronary atherosclerotic heart disease depends on the individual patient's specific condition. If a patient with mild cardiovascular narrowing experiences angina symptoms or tests reveal evidence of myocardial ischemia, they are typically diagnosed with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Conversely, if a patient with mild cardiovascular narrowing shows no obvious symptoms of myocardial ischemia in daily life and cardiac function tests reveal no abnormalities, they are not considered to have coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Individuals experiencing discomfort should seek medical attention promptly. The detailed analysis is as follows:

If a patient with mild cardiovascular narrowing develops angina symptoms during physical exertion or emotional stress, or if tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, or nuclear myocardial imaging detect signs of myocardial ischemia, they will usually be diagnosed with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease—even if the degree of narrowing is not moderate to severe. This is because the condition has already had a tangible impact on heart health and requires appropriate treatment and management.

On the other hand, if a patient with mild cardiovascular narrowing does not experience noticeable symptoms of myocardial ischemia in daily life and shows no abnormalities in cardiac function tests, they are not diagnosed with coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. In such cases, the mild narrowing has minimal effect on blood flow to the heart and does not significantly alter cardiac function.

In daily life, maintaining a healthy lifestyle—including balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, smoking cessation, and limited alcohol consumption—can help prevent and manage cardiovascular diseases.