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What Is Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the coronary arteries are narrowed and blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced. The heart gets its nourishment from the coronary arteries. These arteries branch off from the main artery (the aorta) right into the heart muscle itself. They carry nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle.

If the coronary arteries become damaged or diseased, the heart muscle does not get the nutrition and oxygen it needs to do its job. The heart's job is to pump blood to the rest of the body. When this is impaired, a heart problem becomes serious.

The most common type of coronary artery disease is that which blocks arteries with cholesterol and fat. This is known as hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis. The blockage starts with a small injury on the inside wall of the coronary artery. The injury attracts blood clotting elements and cholesterol. In time, the cholesterol builds up, just like a blockage in a pipe, and the heart muscle may not get enough blood. This can cause chest pain or angina. If the artery becomes completely blocked, no blood can reach the heart muscle and it may become injured and die. This is called a heart attack.

Factors that increase the risk for coronary artery disease are:

• smoking tobacco
• high blood levels of cholesterol and fat
• diabetes
• obesity
• a family history of coronary artery disease
• high blood pressure
• sedentary lifestyle
• increased alcohol intake and
• increased stress

Treatment for coronary artery disease may include medications, coronary artery bypass surgery, or coronary balloon angioplasty. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent further disease by improving blood flow to the heart muscle.

It is very important that people who have coronary artery disease control their risk factors. They can improve their health and decrease their risk by:

• exercising regularly
• reducing stress
• decreasing salt, fats, and cholesterol in their diet
• lowering blood pressure
• not smoking
• controlling diabetes
• weight control and limiting alcohol intake to no more than 2 drinks per day for men and 1 drink for women. (A drink is 1.5 oz of 80 proof spirits, 1 oz of 100 proof spirits, 4 oz wine, or 12 oz beer.)

For more information, speak with your health care provider. If your health care provider would like to refer you to a cardiologist, ask for a referral to a Saint Vincent Heart Center cardiac specialist. Information is also available by contacting your local chapter of the American Heart Association or call the national office at (800) 242-8721 or visit their website at www.americanheart.org.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. HIL File CARD4291.RF2 VRS# 6101 Data Version 7.0
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McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.