Nurse.ali fadel abassover 3 years ago

What Is Coronary Artery Disease? Coronary artery disease, also called CAD, coronary or atherosclerotic heart disease, is a serious condition caused by a buildup of plaque in your coronary arteries, the blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to your heart. It affects millions of Americans. Your arteries are smooth and elastic. But when plaque builds up on their inner walls, it can make them stiff and narrow. This slows blood flow to your heart muscle, so it doesn’t get the oxygen it needs. The plaque could also break off, leading to a heart attack or sudden cardiac death. Coronary Artery Disease Symptoms The most common symptom is angina, or chest pain. People describe angina as: Aching Burning Fullness Heaviness Numbness Pressure Squeezing Weakness or dizziness