Coronary Artery Disease Research Paper

Coronary artery disease is the impedance or blockage of one or more arteries that supply blood to the heart, usually due to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina (also called angina pectoris). Angina is often referred to as chest pain. It is also described as chest discomfort, heaviness, tightness, pressure, aching, burning, numbness, fullness, or squeezing. It is often mistaken indigestion or heartburn. There are approximately more than 3 million US cases per year. Americans suffer 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes each year. Cardiovascular disease (including heart disease and stroke) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Every day, 2,200 people die from cardiovascular diseases. Nearly 800,000 Americans each year, that’s 1 in every 3 deaths. A very alarming fact is that approximately 50% of men and 64% of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms of this disease. Even if you have been told you have normal cholesterol don’t be misled; you may be at risk. Early detection can be critical for preventing a potentially lethal cardiac event. …show more content…
But even if you inherit the risks factors that predispose you to heart disease, such as high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or being overweight, there are measures you can take that will help you avoid developing cardiovascular disease. Coronary heart disease is caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries to your heart. Fatty material and other substances form a plaque build-up on the walls of your coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to your heart. This buildup causes the arteries to get narrow. As a result, blood flow to the heart can slow down or