Coronary Artery Disease Overview

Coronary heart disease develops when the coronary arteries - blood vessels that supply your heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients - damaged or diseased. Containing cholesterol deposits (plaques) in arteries are usually to blame for coronary artery disease.

When plaque builds up, narrowing the coronary arteries, causing your heart to receive less blood. Finally, reduced blood flow can cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath or other symptoms of coronary artery disease. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.

Because coronary disease often develops over several decades can go virtually unnoticed until it produces a heart attack. But there is much you can do to prevent and treat coronary artery disease. To begin, commit to a healthy life.