Question:
What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease. Coronary artery disease is often referred to as CAD (coronary artery disease).
CAD occurs when the coronary arteries are clogged or narrowed with cholesterol or fat. This clogging or narrowing is commonly referred to as atherosclerosis. Coronary arteries supply our bodies with oxygen and nutrients.
When the arteries are narrowed or clogged due to coronary artery disease, the heart can't get enough oxygen. When this occurs and the heart muscle is injured, a heart attack is often the end result.
CAD often has no symptoms associated with it. However, it can cause mild chest pains to more obvious chest pains. At times CAD can interfere with a person's daily activities.
According the American Heart Association, the warning signs that someone may be experiencing CAD are the following:
-An uncomfortable feeling of pressure in the chest that may come and go.
-Pain that may spread to the shoulder, neck or arms.
-Feeling of discomfort in the chest that is present with light-headness or nausea.
CAD can also have less common warning signs such as: stomach pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, skin that pales, and cold sweats or palpitations.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, please consult with your doctor.
Heart Disease Frequently Asked Questions
Who is at risk for heart disease?
Why is the elderly at risk for heart disease?
Who is at more risk for heart disease? Men or women?
Why does heredity put a person at risk of heart disease?
Why are people of a certain race at risk for heart disease?
Why does smoking contribute to heart disease?
How does cholesterol contribute to heart disease?
How can high blood pressure contribute to heart disease?
How does body weight contribute to heart disease?
How can not exercising and eating poorly contribute to heart disease?
What is coronary artery disease?
What is congestive heart failure?
How many women will die of a heart attack this year alone?
How many men died of heart disease in 2002?
How many Hispanic men and African American men have heart disease?
What is the number one cause of death in African American and Hispanic females?
Which countries have the lowest rate of heart disease?
What should people eat for a heart healthy diet?
How much saturated fat should be in vegetable oil or margarine?
How much fiber should adults have daily?
How much sodium intake should a healthy adult have daily?
What are some recommended diet and recipe books for those with heart disease?
How can risk factor screening help prevent heart disease?
Aspirin can reduce your risk of heart disease by how much?
How can educating yourself help prevent heart disease?
What interventions should one take if they are determined to be high risk for heart disease?
What can one drink a day help do?
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
How can I prevent getting heart disease?
How many people have heart disease?
What is fiber's effect on heart disease risk?
What are nuts effect on cholesterol levels?
What is the diet for heart disease?
What is the waist-to-hip ratio?
When will my doctor recommend cholesterol medication?
What is the metabolic syndrome?
| Guru Spotlight |
| Sheri Ann Richerson |
