Patient Education Caring For Your Heart Booklet | Page 7

Coronary Artery Disease
All of the arteries in your body show
the effects of aging. They become less
elastic, and layers of fat can build up
along the walls of the arteries. This is
called atherosclerosis. When these layers
get thick, they block the fl ow of blood so
that only a trickle gets through.
Healthy
artery
Buildup
begins
Coronary artery disease, or CAD, refers
to atherosclerosis within the coronary
arteries. CAD is slow and progressive.
It may start as early as childhood.
When coronary arteries are more than
75 percent blocked, the heart probably
won’t get enough oxygen to work well.
Plaque
forms
Plaque
ruptures;
blood
clot
forms
As CAD progresses, it may lead to
angina, or even to a heart attack. Acute
coronary syndrome occurs when a
coronary artery plaque ruptures, causing
a clot to develop, partially or completely
blocking the coronary artery. This can
lead to angina or to a heart attack.
You are most likely to have the intense,
steady pain or pressure of angina when
your heart has added stress during or
after:
 Hard work or activity
Angina
 Exposure to cold
Angina is chest pain that occurs when
the heart muscle does not receive
enough blood and oxygen. This can be
caused by:
 Sexual activity
 Eating
 Emotional upset
 A buildup of fatty deposits, called
plaque, in the coronary arteries
(atherosclerosis).
Angina can also occur at rest.
Angina should be considered a warning,
and if ignored, a heart attack can
occur. Since it can be diffi cult to tell
the difference between angina and the
symptoms of an actual heart attack,
do not hesitate to call 911 if you are
experiencing any of the symptoms listed
on page 7.
 A spasm, or squeezing, of the
coronary artery. (This slows down or
stops blood fl ow to the heart muscle.
If blood fl ow is stopped for too long,
damage to the heart muscle can
occur.)
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