Cad disease
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Plaque also can crack, which causes blood cells called platelets (PLATE-lets) to clump together and form blood clots at the site of the cracks. This reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle. Over time, plaque can narrow or completely block some of your coronary arteries. The buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries may start in childhood. This healing causes plaque to build up where the arteries are damaged. Excess fatty tissues release compounds that promote this process. When damage occurs, your body starts a healing process. High amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes.High amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood.
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Research suggests that coronary artery disease (CAD) starts when certain factors damage the inner layers of the coronary arteries. Lifestyle changes, medicines, and/or medical procedures can effectively prevent or treat CAD in most people. It's the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. OutlookĬAD is the most common type of heart disease. Arrhythmias are problems with the speed or rhythm of your heartbeat. Heart failure is a condition in which your heart can't pump enough blood throughout your body. Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure and arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs). Without quick treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious problems and even death. This prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching that area of heart muscle and causes it to die. The pain also may occur in your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back.Ī heart attack occurs when blood flow to an area of your heart muscle is completely blocked. Angina may feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. This can cause angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) or a heart attack.Īngina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when not enough oxygen-rich blood is flowing to an area of your heart muscle.
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When your coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked, oxygen-rich blood can't reach your heart muscle. Blood clots can partially or completely block blood flow. It also makes it more likely that blood clots will form in your arteries. Plaque narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to your heart muscle. Figure B shows an artery with plaque buildup. Atherosclerosisįigure A shows a normal artery with normal blood flow. When plaque builds up in the arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis (ATH-er-o-skler-O-sis). Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol (ko-LES-ter-ol), calcium, and other substances found in the blood. These arteries supply your heart muscle with oxygen-rich blood. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a condition in which plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary arteries.