The Risks of Coronary Artery Disease

The coronary arteries supply oxygen and blood to the heart. When they become diseased, damaged or clogged, the heart can't get the oxygen it needs. The result: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).

What is CAD?

In CAD, the inside of a coronary artery becomes clogged with "plaque" - a collection of cholesterol, calcium deposits, dead cells and other debris. All that junk causes the artery to become hard and stiff. That's called atherosclerosis. Imagine an old, dried-out garden hose that is suddenly pinched off or folded in the middle. In a way, that's what arteries with atherosclerosis look like.

Stroke

If a piece of plaque or clot breaks off and floats through the circulatory system into the brain, a stroke may result. A stroke cuts off blood supply to part of the brain, leaving the victim with problems speaking, walking and/or mental functions. Sometimes those problems are resolved with medication and physical therapy. At other times, the disability is permanent.

Angina

CAD causes all kinds of problems with the heart. One of those problems is angina. Someone with angina may feel chest pain when exercising or stressed. That's because a chunk of plaque is slowing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Unlike a heart attack, typical angina stops when the person rests.

Unstable Angina

In unstable angina, a patient may feel chest pain even at rest. Blood clots form where a chunk of plaque has ruptured. The clots cut off blood flow, causing pain. The clot then dissolves, and the pain disappears. It's kind of like a heart attack, except that in a heart attack, the clot stays put. If unstable angina goes untreated, then a true heart attack may soon be in the cards.

Heart Attack

If a plaque ruptures, blood will clot around it. If the clot grows big enough, it completely blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. The part of the heart muscle fed by that artery then dies, and a heart attack is the result. Signs of a heart attack include chest pain, sweating and many other symptoms, both obvious and vague.