Coronary artery disease is a condition that occurs when the major blood vessels that provide blood and oxygen to the heart become blocked due to plaque build-up or inflammation.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is also known as coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease and is the most common type of heart disease in the United States.

CAD is the leading cause of death in the United States.

Coronary artery disease is also called "atherosclerosis" or "hardening of the arteries". 

What is coronary artery disease?

In coronary artery disease, the blood vessels that provide blood to the heart muscle become blocked; blood cannot get to the heart muscle to provide it with the oxygen it needs, leading to complications like a heart attack.

What causes coronary artery disease?

Usually, CAD occurs when fat, cholesterol, or other substances form a "plaque" on the inside wall of your coronary arteries, the blood vessels providing your heart muscle with blood, nutrients, and oxygen. These substances may partially block the blood flow in the heart, or the plaque may break away and form a blood clot. 

This leads to narrowing in the blood vessels. If the blood vessel becomes completely blocked by plaque or a blood clot, the heart muscle will begin to die without oxygen, and a heart attack may result.

Diabetes, high blood pressure, not getting enough exercise, smoking, or tobacco use can also cause damage to the coronary arteries and result in CAD.

What are my risk factors for coronary artery disease?

Sometimes CAD develops without any of the usual risk factors, but generally, at least one risk factor is present. 

Some of the most common risk factors for CAD include:

• Advancing age: the older you get, the greater your risk of developing CAD
• Alcohol use
• An unhealthy diet
• Chronic kidney disease
• Diabetes
• Family history: especially if a close family member was diagnosed with CAD before the age of 50
• Gender: men have a higher risk of developing CAD, but women increase their risk after menopause
• High blood pressure can make the arteries harden and become stiff, making it difficult for blood to flow
• High cholesterol
• High levels of stress
• Metabolic syndrome: a combination of several of the above risk factors which, occurring together, increase your risk for CAD even more
• Not getting enough exercise
• Not getting enough sleep
• Smoking
• Some autoimmune diseases
• Working long shifts, irregular shifts, or night shifts that affect your sleep patterns

Talk to your doctor if you have any of these risk factors, especially if you have symptoms of CAD.

Take away

Coronary artery disease is a common type of heart disease and can lead to a heart attack and death if not recognized and treated early. 

Eating a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and other heart-healthy lifestyle changes can decrease your chances of developing CAD or help your body heal from it.

Call 9-1-1 if you or someone close to you starts to show signs of a heart attack.

 What are the signs and symptoms of CAD?

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Sources:

Coronary artery disease - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Coronary artery disease - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic

Coronary Artery Disease | cdc.gov

Coronary Heart Disease - What Is Coronary Heart Disease? | NHLBI, NIH

Coronary Heart Disease - Causes and Risk Factors | NHLBI, NIH