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Maryland Heart Center

Patient Conditions

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

What is Coronary Artery Disease? | Causes and Risk Factors | Signs and Symptoms | Diagnosing CAD | Treatments-Medical & Surgical Options

 

What is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?

The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle itself.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), the most common form of heart disease, is the leading cause of death among both men and women in America today.

According to American Heart Association, over 12 million Americans suffer from CAD and each year, more than 500,000 Americans die of heart attacks caused by this disease.

Also known as ischemic heart disease, CAD occurs when obstructions of the coronary arteries (the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart) reduce or stop the flow of blood to the heart, depriving the heart muscle of oxygen.

CAD usually results from the buildup of fatty material and plaque in the arteries.

CAD can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. If the blood supply is cut off completely, a heart attack will result.

Chest pain can be a warning of an impending heart attack or even death. Unfortunately, less than half of all patients have any warning symptoms.


This page was last updated on: August 3, 2007.

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