Coronary Artery Disease Differential Diagnoses. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked by plaque buildup. The following are some possible differential diagnoses for CAD:

1. Angina: Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart doesn’t get enough blood flow. It can be caused by CAD, but it can also be caused by other conditions such as aortic stenosis, pulmonary hypertension, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
2. Myocardial infarction (heart attack): A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, preventing blood flow to a portion of the heart muscle. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms that are similar to CAD.
3. Aortic dissection: Aortic dissection is a medical emergency that occurs when the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to flow between the layers and potentially causing the aorta to rupture. Symptoms can include chest pain, back pain, and difficulty breathing.
4. Pulmonary embolism: A pulmonary embolism occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms that can be similar to CAD.
5. Pericarditis: Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart, causing chest pain and other symptoms that can be similar to CAD.
6. Mitral valve prolapse: Mitral valve prolapse is a condition in which the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle of the heart doesn’t close properly, causing chest pain, palpitations, and other symptoms that can be similar to CAD.
7. Aortic valve stenosis: Aortic valve stenosis is a condition in which the valve between the left ventricle and the aorta doesn’t open properly, causing chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms that can be similar to CAD. Coronary Artery Disease Differential Diagnoses

It’s important to note that many of these conditions can coexist with CAD or be caused by CAD, so a thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is necessary to determine the underlying cause of symptoms.