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Coronary heart disease (or coronary artery disease) is a narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart (coronary arteries). Coronary disease usually results from the build up of fatty material and plaque (atherosclerosis). As the coronary arteries narrow, the flow of blood to the heart can slow or stop. The disease can cause chest pain (stable angina), shortness of breath, heart attack, or other symptoms.

Causes and Risks

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in the United States for men and women. According to the American Heart Association, about every 29 seconds someone in the US suffers from a CHD-related event, and about every minute someone dies from such event. The lifetime risk of having coronary heart disease after age 40 is 49% for men and 32% for women. As women get older, the percentage increases almost to that of men.

There are many factors which increase the risk for CHD. Some of the risks are based on family history (genetics), and others are more controllable. Risk factors include the following:

Family history of coronary heart disease (especially before age 50)
Male gender
Age (65 and greater)
Tobacco smoking
High blood pressure
Diabetes
High cholesterol levels (specifically, high LDL cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol)
Lack of physical activity or exercise
Obesity
High blood homocysteine levels
Post-menopause in women
Infection that causes inflammatory response in the artery wall. (There is some evidence that suggests this, but the theory is being studied.)

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