Figure 1. Overweight man with excess fat round the waist
Table of Contents
Overview
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a common heart disease caused by plaque build-up in the walls of the main arteries supplying blood to the heart. The coronary arteries supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your heart.
Too much plaque build-up due to cholesterol and fats cause a narrowing and inflammation of the arteries over time. This could partially or totally block the blood flow not only to the heart but also throughout your body.
Over time, CAD can also weaken your heart muscle, leading to heart failure. Eventually, the reduced blood flow may cause chest pain and shortness of breath. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
The major risk factors for CAD include obesity or being overweight, family history of heart disease, poor diet, smoking, lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle.
Because CAD does not cause any immediate symptoms, it can go unnoticed until you have a heart attack. This is the reason why CAD is a silent killer. But you can take steps to avoid CAD. A change to a healthier diet and lifestyle can make a big difference. Have regular health check-ups for a better chance of picking up the problem.
Eat a diet low in salt, cholesterol, and fats, avoid smoking, exercise regularly. If your Doctor prescribes medications, take them regularly to reduce your risk of CAD or other heart conditions.
In England, there are 1.9Million people living with CAD. It is one of the biggest causes of death and single biggest cause of premature death. One in nine men and one in fifteen women die from CAD (1 in 11 overall), which is equivalent to one death every 10minutes.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of CAD are shortness of breath, chest pain called angina, pain throughout the body, feeling faint and feeling sick.
Causes
CAD is a common heart disease caused by plaque build-up in the walls of the main arteries supplying blood to the heart. The coronary arteries supply blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your heart. Too much plaque build-up due to cholesterol and fats cause a narrowing and inflammation of the arteries over time. This could partially or totally block the blood flow to the heart.
Major risk factors for CAD include obesity or being overweight, a family history of heart disease, poor diet, smoking, lack of physical activity and sedentary lifestyle.
Figure 2. Overindulgence in rich food leads to excess fat storage in the body
Diagnosis & Treatment
See your General Practitioner (GP) and have regular health check-ups. The Doctor may ask for a blood test to be carried out and check your heart rhythm to see exactly what is wrong, so that medication can be prescribed accordingly.
Eat a diet low in table (sodium) salt, cholesterol, and fats, avoid smoking, exercise regularly. If your Doctor prescribes medications, take them regularly to reduce your risk of CAD or other heart conditions.
Complications
Over time, CAD can weaken your heart muscle, leading to heart failure. Eventually, the reduced blood flow may cause chest pain called angina and shortness of breath. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
Patients with CAD and other cardiovascular issues may be vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. For further details see section on COVID-19 and vaccination.
CAD
Written by BK Date created/updated 09.07.22
Reviewed by PJ Date Reviewed 16.07.22
