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Coronary Artery Disease
Summary
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women.
CAD happens when the arteries that supply blood to heart muscle become hardened and narrowed. This is due to the buildup of cholesterol and other material, called plaque, on their inner walls. This buildup is called atherosclerosis. As it grows, less blood can flow through the arteries. As a result, the heart muscle can’t get the blood or oxygen it needs. This can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. Most heart attacks happen when a blood clot suddenly cuts off the hearts’ blood supply, causing permanent heart damage.
Over time, CAD can also weaken the heart muscle and contribute to heart failure and arrhythmias. Heart failure means the heart can’t pump blood well to the rest of the body. Arrhythmias are changes in the normal beating rhythm of the heart.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Specifics
- Acute Coronary Syndrome American Heart Association
- Myocardial Ischemia Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- What Is Atherosclerosis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Patient Handouts
- Acute coronary syndrome Medical Encyclopedia
- Angioplasty and stent – heart – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Angioplasty and stent placement – heart Medical Encyclopedia
- Coronary angiography Medical Encyclopedia
- Coronary artery spasm Medical Encyclopedia
- Coronary heart disease Medical Encyclopedia
Find an Expert
- American Heart Association American Heart Association
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Treatments and Therapies
- Angioplasty: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Coronary Artery Disease: Angioplasty or Bypass Surgery? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Heart Procedures and Surgeries American Heart Association
- What Are Stents? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Living With
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- What You Need to Know if You Have Coronary Artery Disease American Heart Association
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Coronary Artery Disease National Institutes of Health
Reference Desk
- Coronary Arteries Texas Heart Institute
- Heart Information Center Texas Heart Institute
- How the Heart Works National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Encyclopedia
- Coronary artery disease Medical Encyclopedia
- Hardening of the arteries Medical Encyclopedia
- Heart PET scan Medical Encyclopedia
- Hypertensive heart disease Medical Encyclopedia
- Left heart catheterization Medical Encyclopedia
- Living with heart disease and angina Medical Encyclopedia
- Magnetic resonance angiography Medical Encyclopedia
- Nuclear stress test Medical Encyclopedia
- Stent Medical Encyclopedia
- VLDL test Medical Encyclopedia
Start Here
- Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) American Academy of Family Physicians
- Coronary Artery Disease – Coronary Heart Disease American Heart Association
- What Is Coronary Heart Disease? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Older Adults
- Coronary Artery Disease (Heart Attack) American Geriatrics Society
Diagnosis and Tests
- Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) Radiological Society of North America
- Heart Health Tests: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Intravascular Ultrasound Texas Heart Institute
- Screening for Coronary Heart Disease with Electrocardiography U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Related Issues
- Drug-Eluting Stents: Do They Increase Heart Attack Risk? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Vulnerable Plaque Texas Heart Institute
Women
- Heart Disease in Women: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
Prevention and Risk Factors
- How to Prevent Heart Disease: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
Journal Articles
Genetics
- Werner syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine