Coronary Artery Disease

Causes

Coronary artery disease is caused by atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries due to old age. In atherosclerosis, plaque build-up in the arteries is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances from the blood.

Plaque build-up in the arteries often begins in childhood. Over time, plaque build-up in the coronary arteries can:

• Narrow the arteries, reducing the amount of blood and oxygen reaching the heart muscles
• Block the arteries completely which stops the flow of blood to the heart muscle
• Cause blood clots to form which can block the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.
  
  

Risk Factors

The risk factors that can contribute to coronary artery disease include:

• Diabetes mellitus
• High blood pressure
  
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle and a lack of physical activity
• Smoking