CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE Coronary artery disease develops when the major blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients (coronary arteries) become damaged or diseased. Cholesterol-containing fatty deposits (plaque) in your arteries and inflammation are usually to blame for coronary artery disease. When plaque builds up, they narrow your coronary arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. Eventually, the decreased blood flow may cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, or other coronary artery disease signs and symptoms. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack. Etiology: Narrowing of the artery walls by atherosclerosis producing ischemia to the myocardium. Begins in childhood and generally manifests in adulthood.