Coronary Artery Disease—Atherosclerosis

Also called: Arteriosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. That limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your body.

Atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems, including

Coronary artery disease. These arteries supply blood to your heart. When they are blocked, you can suffer angina or a heart attack.
Carotid artery disease. These arteries supply blood to your brain. When they are blocked you can suffer a stroke.
Peripheral arterial disease. These arteries are in your arms, legs and pelvis. When they are blocked, you can suffer from numbness, pain and sometimes infections.

Atherosclerosis usually doesn’t cause symptoms until it severely narrows or totally blocks an artery. Many people don’t know they have it until they have a medical emergency.

A physical exam, imaging, and other diagnostic tests can tell if you have it. Medicines can slow the progress of plaque buildup. Your doctor may also recommend procedures such as angioplasty to open the arteries, or surgery on the coronary or carotid arteries. Lifestyle changes can also help. These include following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and managing stress.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Angioplasty and stent placement – peripheral arteries (Medical Encyclopedia)
Arteriogram (Medical Encyclopedia)
Doppler ultrasound exam of an arm or leg (Medical Encyclopedia)
Extremity angiography (Medical Encyclopedia)
Hardening of the arteries (Medical Encyclopedia)
How Is Atherosclerosis Treated? – NIH (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
Magnetic resonance angiography (Medical Encyclopedia)
What Is Atherosclerosis? – NIH (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Also called: CAD, Coronary arteriosclerosis, Coronary atherosclerosis

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women.

CAD happens when the arteries that supply blood to heart muscle become hardened and narrowed. This is due to the buildup of cholesterol and other material, called plaque, on their inner walls. This buildup is called atherosclerosis. As it grows, less blood can flow through the arteries. As a result, the heart muscle can’t get the blood or oxygen it needs. This can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack. Most heart attacks happen when a blood clot suddenly cuts off the hearts’ blood supply, causing permanent heart damage.

Over time, CAD can also weaken the heart muscle and contribute to heart failure and arrhythmias. Heart failure means the heart can’t pump blood well to the rest of the body. Arrhythmias are changes in the normal beating rhythm of the heart.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute