Key Points

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood.
• Plaque narrows the coronary arteries and reduces blood flow to your heart muscle. It also makes it more likely that blood clots will form in your arteries. Blood clots can partially or completely block blood flow.
• CAD can lead to angina, heart attack, heart failure, and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats).
• CAD is the most common type of heart disease. It's the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women.
• Research suggests that CAD starts when certain factors damage the inner layers of the coronary arteries. When damage occurs, your body starts a healing process. This healing causes plaque to build up where the artery is damaged. Over time, the plaque may crack and causes blood clots to form in the arteries. This can worsen angina or cause a heart attack.
• Many factors raise the risk of developing CAD.  Major risk factors include unhealthy blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking, insulin resistance, diabetes, overweight or obesity, metabolic syndrome, lack of physical activity, age, and a family history of early heart disease.
• Common symptoms of CAD are angina and shortness of breath. However, some people have no signs or symptoms. This is called silent CAD. It may not be diagnosed until a person shows signs and symptoms of a heart attack, heart failure, or an arrhythmia.
• Your doctor will diagnose CAD based on your medical and family histories, your risk factors, and the results of diagnostic tests.
• Treatment for CAD may include lifestyle changes, medicines, and medical procedures. Lifestyle changes include following a heart healthy eating plan, increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and reducing stress.
• Taking action to control your risk factors can help prevent or delay CAD. You can take action by making lifestyle changes and/or taking medicines as prescribed by your doctor.
• If you've been diagnosed with CAD, you can control the disease with lifestyle changes and medicines. See your doctor regularly, and call him or her if you develop any new symptoms or your symptoms become more severe.