Coronary artery disease (CAD) or coronary heart disease is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries, which supplies oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscles.
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Plaque is made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other things found in the blood. Plaque builds up in the arteries is atherosclerosis.
Build-up of plaque narrows the arteries and thus reduces blood flow to the heart muscle. In addition, it encourages the formation of blood clots in the arteries, which are partially or completely blocks the blood flow. Lack of blood flow to heart muscles causes’ chest pain or discomfort called angina.
A heart attack may occur when blood flow to the heart muscle is completely blocked and prevents oxygen-rich blood supply to a certain area of heart muscle and causes it to die. Without immediate emergency treatment, a heart attack can cause serious problems and even death.
In due course coronary artery disease can weaken the heart muscle and may develop heart failure and arrhythmias (irregular rhythm of heartbeat). Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot be able to pump enough blood throughout the body.
Coronary Artery Disease can also call as coronary heart disease, Heart disease, Ischemic heart disease.