Approach to Coronary Artery Diseases

Coronary artery disease (also known as coronary heart disease) is the leading cause of death for both men and women and the most frequent type of heart disease. This largely preventable condition causes hazardous thickening and narrowing of the coronary arteries—the channels that bring blood to the heart—interrupting the passage of oxygen and nutrients to the heart, resulting in major complications. Angina (chest pain) can result from coronary artery disease when there is insufficient blood flow. Over time, the heart needs to work harder, which can lead to heart failure (when the heart is unable to pump adequately) or arrhythmia. The injured arteries may become fully clogged or prone to clotting, resulting in a heart attack.