Coronary heart disease - Causes (2024)

FAQs

Coronary heart disease - Causes? ›

Coronary artery disease is caused by the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the walls of the heart arteries. This condition is called atherosclerosis. The buildup is called plaque. Plaque can cause the arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow.

What is the most common cause of coronary artery disease? Most often, atherosclerosis causes coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis occurs when a waxy substance called plaque builds up in your coronary arteries. Over time, the plaque buildup narrows your coronary arteries and restricts blood flow.

Today, it is well-accepted that Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), the leading cause of death in the U.S., is rooted in inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress (rusting), hormonal imbalances, and exposure to toxins.

Coronary artery disease is often caused by cholesterol, a waxy substance that builds up inside the lining of the coronary arteries, forming plaque. This plaque buildup can partially or totally block blood flow in the large arteries of the heart.

At age 50, the average woman can expect to live 7.9 years with heart disease, while the figure for the average man is 6.7 years. At each age, women are more likely to spend time diagnosed with disease and without a heart attack. Men at every age can expect to spend more years after a heart attack than women.

Causes of coronary heart disease (CHD)

Atherosclerosis can be caused by lifestyle factors, such as smoking and regularly drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. You're also more at risk of getting atherosclerosis if you have conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes.

ACS is a manifestation of CHD (coronary heart disease) and usually a result of plaque disruption in coronary arteries (atherosclerosis). The common risk factors for the disease are smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, male sex, physical inactivity, family obesity, and poor nutritional practices.

What are the risk factors for cardiovascular disease? The most important behavioural risk factors of heart disease and stroke are unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol.

Can coronary heart disease be cured? ›

It is possible to prevent coronary heart disease by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and, for some people taking medications. Coronary heart disease cannot be cured, but it can be managed to reduce your symptoms and your risk of experiencing serious complications.

A buildup of fatty plaques in the arteries (atherosclerosis) is the most common cause of coronary artery disease. Risk factors include a poor diet, lack of exercise, obesity and smoking. Healthy lifestyle choices can help lower the risk of atherosclerosis.

It is not currently possible to completely reverse or cure coronary artery disease. However, scientists continue to research it. There are several lifestyle methods that can help prevent CAD or reduce symptoms. These include getting enough physical activity, consuming a diet low in saturated fats, and avoiding smoking.

Obstructive coronary artery disease occurs when your coronary arteries gradually narrow due to plaque buildup, also known as atherosclerosis. It's the type of coronary artery disease that's most common and well-known. As the artery narrowing worsens, it can eventually cut off blood flow to your heart.

The study, published Aug. 13 in Science, suggests that consuming food rich in saturated fat and choline - a nutrient found in red meat, eggs and dairy products - increases the number of metabolites that build plaques in the arteries.