Many studies suggest that coronary heart disease begin when certain factors damage the inner layers of the coronary arteries.
Causes of Coronary artery disease
These factors include:
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
The buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries may begin at childhood. Over time, plaque can narrow or completely block the coronary arteries and reduce the oxygen-rich blood supply to the heart muscle.
The plaque may have become to harden and develop cracks; platelet blood cell joins to cause blood clots over the cracked plaque. This further narrows the arteries and worsens chest pain called angina or even causes a heart attack.