Coronary Disease

Synonyms

Atherosclerotic heart disease; Coronary artery disease; Coronary heart disease; Ischemic heart disease

Definition

Coronary disease, or coronary artery disease (CAD), results from atherosclerosis, or narrowing of the arteries that provide blood supply to the heart muscle (“myocardium”).

Current Knowledge

Atherosclerosis, which is the process by which cholesterol and fat deposits adhere to the inside walls of blood vessels, creates “plaques” that block the blood supply through blood vessels. When this narrowing or occlusive process blocks the coronary artery, the accompanying obstruction to blood flow reduces the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle, creating ischemia that causes chest pain (“angina pectoris”), or death of the cells of the heart (“myocardial infarction”). At times, it can cause other problems such as arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm) or congestive heart failure, in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to the remainder of the body....