CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It is the leading cause of death in the United States in both men and women.
Signs & Symptoms
Causes
Coronary artery disease is thought to begin with damage or injury to the inner layer of a coronary artery, sometimes as early as childhood. The damage may be caused by various factors, including:
Risk Factors
Risk factors for coronary artery disease include:
Coronary artery disease can lead to:
Communicable / Non-communicable
Non-communicable
Signs & Symptoms
- pressure or tightness in your chest
- pain on the middle or left side of the chest, triggered by physical or emotional stress.
- pain may be fleeting or sharp felt in neck, arm, back
- shortness of breath
- extreme fatigue
- sweating
- neck or jaw pain
Causes
Coronary artery disease is thought to begin with damage or injury to the inner layer of a coronary artery, sometimes as early as childhood. The damage may be caused by various factors, including:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes or insulin resistance
- Sedentary lifestyle
Risk Factors
Risk factors for coronary artery disease include:
- High blood pressure
- high cholesterol
- tobacco use (or exposure to second hand smoke)
- diabetes
- a strong family history of heart disease
- obesity
- Simply getting older increases your risk of damaged and narrowed arteries
- Men are generally at greater risk of coronary artery disease.
- Lack of exercise
- Unrelieved stress in your life
Coronary artery disease can lead to:
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
- abnormal heart rhythms
Communicable / Non-communicable
Non-communicable