Health Resource Center
Coronary Artery Disease
Aug 20th 2008
Coronary
artery disease (CAD) is the term generally applied to describe blockages that
form in the blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. Atherosclerosis, which
is the buildup of cholesterol and fat within the blood vessel wall and within
the lumen of the blood vessel, is the underlying pathology. This buildup in the
blood vessel wall and within the blood vessel lumen can restrict blood flow.
This can cause symptoms of angina
or heart, both of which are described in other sections.
It is important to understand that atherosclerosis is a
generalized process in most patients. If it affects the blood vessels of the
heart it is called coronary artery disease; however, this same process can
affect blood vessels in other parts of the body and lead to symptoms and
problems such as stroke if the blood vessels leading to the brain are affected.
Similarly, if there is blockage in the blood vessels supplying the legs, leg
pain will often develop, particularly with exercise.
The exact mechanism that leads to the formation of these
blockages and why they sometimes become “unstable” is complex. It is clear that
some individuals are at higher risk than others for the development of CAD and
heart disease. The factors which increase an individual’s risk for the
development of atherosclerosis, and in particular coronary artery disease,
include diabetes,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and a family history of early cardiac disease in
immediate relatives. There are potentially other risk factors including a low
HDL (good cholesterol). Obesity and the metabolic syndrome, which are described in other sections, can also
increase the probability of an individual developing coronary disease and
related problems. Many individuals, however, that develop CAD will have none of
the traditional risk factors, highlighting the fact that our understanding of
how and why CAD forms is not complete. It is, however, improving as more
research is devoted to this widespread and complex disease.
Fortunately, coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis
in general is largely preventable with management of risk factors and a healthy
lifestyle. The ability to “reverse” coronary artery disease once formed,
however, is probably very limited with the current therapies, although this is
an active area of research. However, even if coronary artery disease is
present, with aggressive risk factor management and a healthy lifestyle this
can be kept “stable” and the chances of coronary artery disease leading to
progressive symptoms or heart attack can be significantly diminished.
Understanding your risk factors
for the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease is
important. You should discuss this with your physician.
