Coronary artery disease or blocked arteries is a condition diagnosed via a dedicated medical history, a thorough physical examination, electrocardiogram, coronary angiography, a chest x-ray and prescribed blood tests. The blood tests are usually conducted to analyze and evaluate cholesterol level, diabetes and the thyroid hormone. The treatment of blocked arteries involves, first and foremost, educating the patient on the life-threatening condition and explaining the outcome of the disease. Further damage can be prevented with the help of: Lifestyle changes like cessation of the smoking habit, a dedicated diet plan and very importantly, regular exercise.Medication prescribed by the doctor, which commonly includes beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers and nitrates. Thrombolytic drugs are also prescribed to address the need to dissolve blood clots, by increasing the blood plasmin level. Blood volume and pressure are lessened with the help of diuretics such as Esidrix and Diuril. Medication for blocked arteries also includes ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-2, vasodilators and statins.Surgical procedures such as coronary artery bypass and angioplasty or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. In the case of coronary artery bypass, the chest area is opened and a short vein length from the thigh or lower leg is used to enable the passage of blood around the blocked region. In the case of coronary angioplasty, a hollow tube or guide catheter is inserted into the region and with the help of an x-ray image, the doctor inserts the catheter into the blocked coronary artery. The catheter balloon is inflated within the 'blocked' region and the artery is re-opened.