What Is It?

Coronary artery disease is the term commonly used to describe the buildup of fatty deposits and fibrous tissue (plaques) inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart (the coronary arteries). This buildup is called atherosclerosis. Coronary atherosclerosis eventually can cause the coronary arteries to become significantly narrower. This decreases the blood supply to parts of the heart muscle and triggers a type of chest pain called angina. Atherosclerosis also can cause a blood clot to form inside a narrowed coronary artery. This causes a heart attack, which can cause significant damage to the heart muscle.

The factors that increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease are basically the same as those for atherosclerosis:

• A high blood cholesterol level

• A high level of LDL cholesterol, commonly called "bad cholesterol"

• A low level of HDL cholesterol, commonly called "good cholesterol"

• High blood pressure (hypertension)

• Diabetes

• A family history of coronary artery disease at a younger age

• Cigarette smoking

• Obesity

• Physical inactivity (too little regular exercise)

Coronary artery disease is the most common chronic, life-threatening illness in the United States. It affects 11 million Americans. Earlier in life, men have a greater risk of coronary artery disease than women. However, after menopause, a woman's risk eventually equals that of a man

Symptoms

In most people, the most common symptom of coronary artery disease is the type of chest pain called angina, or angina pectoris. Angina usually is described as a squeezing, pressing or burning chest pain that tends to be felt mainly in the center of the chest or just below the center of the rib cage. It also can spread to the arms (especially the left arm), abdomen, neck, lower jaw or neck. Other symptoms can include sweating, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness, breathlessness or palpitations. Sometimes, when coronary artery disease causes burning chest pain and nausea, a patient may mistake heart symptoms for indigestion.

There are two types of chest pain related to coronary artery disease - stable angina and acute coronary syndrome.