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Coronary heart disease

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Coronary heart disease

Definition:

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, causing chest pain (stable angina), shortness of breath, heart attack, or other symptoms.

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Alternative Names:
Coronary artery disease; Arteriosclerotic heart disease; CHD; CAD

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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 U.S. suffers from a CHD-related event, and about every minute someone dies from one.

The lifetime risk of having CHD after age 40 is 49% for men and 32% for women. As women get older, the risk increases almost to that of men. (See also heart disease and women.)

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

• 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
• Menopause in women
• Infection that causes inflammation in the artery wall. (There is some evidence that suggests this, but the theory is being studied.)

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