Coronary Heart Disease

What is coronary heart disease?

Coronary heart disease, or coronary artery disease (CAD), is characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits along the innermost layer of the coronary arteries. The fatty deposits may develop in childhood and continue to thicken and enlarge throughout the life span. This thickening, called atherosclerosis, narrows the arteries and can decrease or block the flow of blood to the heart.

Nearly 13 million Americans suffer from coronary heart disease - the number one killer of both men and women in the US.

What are the risk factors for coronary heart disease?

Risk factors for coronary heart disease often include:

high LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides levels and reduced HDL cholesterol
high blood pressure (hypertension)
physical inactivity
smoking
obesity
high saturated fat diet

Controlling risk factors is the key to preventing illness and death from CAD.

What are the symptoms of coronary heart disease?

The symptoms of coronary heart disease will depend on the severity of the disease. Some persons with CAD have no symptoms, some have episodes of mild chest pain or angina, and some have more severe chest pain.

If too little oxygenated blood reaches the heart, a person will experience chest pain called angina. When the blood supply is completely cut off, the result is a heart attack, and the heart muscle begins to die. Some persons may have a heart attack and never recognize the symptoms. This is called a "silent" heart attack.

When symptoms are present, each person may experience them differently. Symptoms of coronary heart disease may include:

heaviness, tightness, pressure, and/or pain in the chest - behind the breastbone
pain radiating in the arms, shoulders, jaw, neck, and/or back
shortness of breath
weakness and fatigue

Treatment for coronary heart disease:

Specific treatment will be determined by your physician based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

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The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your physician. Please consult your physician with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

To learn more about the symptoms of coronary heart disease visit PepinHeart.org

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