Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease, also termed coronary artery disease or ischaemic (ischemic) heart disease, is the most common form of heart disease and the most common cause of death in the western world. The coronary arteries are large blood vessels in the surface of the heart that deliver blood to the heart muscle. Fatty plaques can build up in the arteries and block blood flow - a process called atherosclerosis. If the arteries become blocked, the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen, bringing on a variety of symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as heart muscle damage and even death.

The main mechanisms of angina (chest pain) are conditions that either decrease the supply of blood, or increase the demand for blood. Decreased supply is most commonly due to atherosclerosis (a build up of fatty deposits), or spasms in the arteries, which can limit the space through which blood flows to the heart.

An increase in demand takes place during exercise or exertion. The heart beats faster to supply the muscles and other organs with more oxygen in response to the increased demand. Chronic stable angina results when this increased demand for blood exceeds the supply to the coronary arteries. This can also occur during periods of stress, or extreme temperatures. Although spasms of the coronary arteries are the main cause of Prinzmetal's angina, approximately two thirds of people with this type of angina also have atherosclerosis in at least one vessel.

Coronary heart disease can result in:
* Angina pectoris
* Unstable Angina
* Acute myocardial infarction, or heart attack

There is no exact single cause of coronary heart disease but rather numerous factors that can contribute to or increase the risk of developing the condition. These factors can include lifestyle, heredity, age, and gender.