Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the
arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle (the coronary arteries)
become hardened and narrowed. The arteries harden and narrow due to buildup
of a material called plaque (plak) on their inner walls. The buildup of
plaque is known as atherosclerosis (ATH-er-o-skler-O-sis). As the plaque
increases in size, the insides of the coronary arteries get narrower and
less blood can flow through them. Eventually, blood flow to the heart muscle
is reduced, and, because blood carries much-needed oxygen, the heart muscle
is not able to receive the amount of oxygen it needs. Reduced or cutoff
blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart muscle can result in:
-
Angina (AN-ji-na or an-JI-na).
Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart does not get
enough blood.
-
Heart attack.
A heart attack happens when a blood clot develops at the site of
plaque in a coronary artery and suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply
to that part of the heart muscle. Cells in the heart muscle begin to die
if they do not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. This can cause permanent
damage to the heart muscle.
Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle and
contribute to:
-
Heart failure. In heart failure,
the heart can’t pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. Heart
failure does not mean that the heart has stopped or is about to stop.
Instead, it means that the heart is failing to pump blood the way that it
should.
-
Arrhythmias
(a-RITH-me-as). Arrhythmias are changes in the normal beating rhythm of
the heart. Some can be quite serious.
CAD is the most common type of heart disease. It is
the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women.
- What Causes Coronary Artery
Disease?
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is caused by
atherosclerosis (the thickening and hardening of the inside walls of
arteries). Some hardening of the arteries occurs normally as a person
grows older.
In atherosclerosis, plaque deposits build up in the
arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other
substances from the blood. Plaque buildup in the arteries often begins in
childhood. Over time, plaque buildup in the coronary arteries can:
-
Narrow the arteries. This reduces the amount
of blood and oxygen that reaches the heart muscle.
-
Completely block the arteries. This stops the flow of blood to the heart
muscle.
-
Cause blood clots to form. This can block the arteries that supply blood
to the heart muscle.
- Who Is At Risk for Coronary
Artery Disease?
- Several factors increase the risk of developing
CAD. The more risk factors you have, the greater chance you have of
developing CAD. Some CAD risk factors, such as age, can’t be modified, but
others can.
Risk Factors That Cannot Be
Modified:
-
Age.
As you get older, your risk for CAD increases.
-
In men, risk increases after age 45.
-
In women, risk increases after age 55.
-
Family history of
early heart disease.
-
Heart disease diagnosed before age 55 in
father or brother.
-
Heart disease diagnosed before age 65 in mother or sister.
Risk Factors That Can Be
Modified:
-
High blood cholesterol
-
High blood pressure
-
Cigarette smoking
-
Diabetes
-
Overweight or obesity
-
Lack of physical activity
- Other Potential Risk Factors
- High blood levels of a substance called C-reactive protein (CRP) may
be associated with an increased risk of developing CAD and having a heart
attack. CRP is a protein in the blood that shows the presence of
inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or infection.
CRP levels rise when there is inflammation. The inflammation process
appears to contribute to the growth of plaque in arteries.
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